Chennai, Dec. 18: All India Congress Committee general secretary Rahul Gandhi will be visiting Tamil Nadu next week on a two-day trip.
He will be interacting with Youth Congress cadres at Madurai, Villupuram, Chennai and Tirupur. All senior Congress leaders are already in Delhi for the party’s two-day plenary session beginning Sunday, and would be back before the arrival of the AICC leader on December 21.
According to party sources, the visit of the Congress party’s poster boy was postponed to this month because of the 2G spectrum scam expose. Mr Gandhi’s visit gains significance since this would be his first trip to Tamil Nadu after the party’s debacle in the Assembly polls in Bihar, winning merely four out of the 243 seats it contested alone.
As the campaigning in Bihar by party leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi did not bear fruit, the party’s belligerence has toned down and the popular idea of the Congress contesting alone in states like Tamil Nadu has been pushed to the backburner for now.
Though Mr Gandhi has been trying to inject cohesion and a sense of direction among the Youth Congress cadres, the youth wing has not been behaving very differently from the faction-ridden Tamil Nadu Congress Committee, posing a major challenge to the Nehru-Gandhi scion. Party sources said Mr Gandhi was expected to skip meeting chief minister M. Karunandhi this time too and leave for Kerala on December 23.
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Saturday, December 18, 2010
Six highways projects likely to be dropped
CHENNAI: In a rare move, the state highways department is planning to drop six flyover and subways projects for various reasons, including lack of funds for acquisition of land. Among the six projects are the ones in Wimco Nagar, Tiruvottiyur and Meenambakkam.
At a high-level coordination meeeting on Thursday, Southern Railway reportedly told the highways department to get the concurrence of the collectors concerned for permanent closure of gates if it wanted to drop the six projects. While poor traffic was cited for dropping the proposed flyover/subway project at LC 87 in Tiruchi, proposals for similar projects at neighbouring level crossings were the reason for deciding to scrap a project at Tindivanam.
All these projects, joint ventures of the highways and railways, were sanctioned by the DMK-led government in 2007-2008. "They were conceived by Southern Railway as part of its bid to remove manual level crossings and the state government gave its nod," said a senior official.
According to official sources, only these six projects have been found to be non-feasible. The rest of the 148 projects taken up across the state since 1999 have no problems.
At the level crossing near Wimco Nagar station off Tiruvottiyur High Road one of the six that have been decided to be dropped a road-over-bridge or flyover, it has been felt, is not feasible. A subway, involving acquisition of a huge quantity of private land, is not feasible either, it was found. More than a lakh of people in Ramanathapuram, Shanmugapuram, Jyothi Nagar, Murugappa Nagar and Jai Hind Nagar rely on this level crossing to move to the other end of the city.
S Govindaraj, a long-time resident of Ramanathapuram, says: "We have been asking the local MLA, who is also a minister, to consider our plea to build a subway. The delay in executing the project could mean losing many lives on the tracks." While some residents claimed that only those projects within the city limits were executed in record time, others were mulling a protest programme to seek the government's attention.
Building a pedestrian subway on defence land in Meenambakkam was, it was found, difficult in terms of funds. Also, the defence ministry reportedlywanted a flyover to replace the level crossing and not a pedestrian subway. "The defence ministry has not accepted the move for a permanent closure of the gate either," official sources said. Hence, the decision to shelve the project.
At a high-level coordination meeeting on Thursday, Southern Railway reportedly told the highways department to get the concurrence of the collectors concerned for permanent closure of gates if it wanted to drop the six projects. While poor traffic was cited for dropping the proposed flyover/subway project at LC 87 in Tiruchi, proposals for similar projects at neighbouring level crossings were the reason for deciding to scrap a project at Tindivanam.
All these projects, joint ventures of the highways and railways, were sanctioned by the DMK-led government in 2007-2008. "They were conceived by Southern Railway as part of its bid to remove manual level crossings and the state government gave its nod," said a senior official.
According to official sources, only these six projects have been found to be non-feasible. The rest of the 148 projects taken up across the state since 1999 have no problems.
At the level crossing near Wimco Nagar station off Tiruvottiyur High Road one of the six that have been decided to be dropped a road-over-bridge or flyover, it has been felt, is not feasible. A subway, involving acquisition of a huge quantity of private land, is not feasible either, it was found. More than a lakh of people in Ramanathapuram, Shanmugapuram, Jyothi Nagar, Murugappa Nagar and Jai Hind Nagar rely on this level crossing to move to the other end of the city.
S Govindaraj, a long-time resident of Ramanathapuram, says: "We have been asking the local MLA, who is also a minister, to consider our plea to build a subway. The delay in executing the project could mean losing many lives on the tracks." While some residents claimed that only those projects within the city limits were executed in record time, others were mulling a protest programme to seek the government's attention.
Building a pedestrian subway on defence land in Meenambakkam was, it was found, difficult in terms of funds. Also, the defence ministry reportedlywanted a flyover to replace the level crossing and not a pedestrian subway. "The defence ministry has not accepted the move for a permanent closure of the gate either," official sources said. Hence, the decision to shelve the project.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Cabinet approves two laning of Tindivanam - Krishnagiri section of NH-66
The Cabinet Committee on Infrastructure on Friday approved the implementation of a project for the two-laning with/without paved shoulders of the 178.060 km long Tindivanam - Krishnagiri Section of NH-66 from Km 38.150 to Km 216.210 under NHDP-III in the state of Tamil Nadu on Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer (DBFOT) basis in BOT (Annuity) mode of delivery.
The estimated total project cost of the sub project is Rs.610.21 crore under DBFOT pattern on BOT (Annuity) mode of delivery.
The concession period is for 15 years including a construction period of two years, thus allowing 26 semi-annual annuities to be paid to the concessionaire from the date of commissioning of operations.
The project road passes through Villupuram, Tiruvannamalai and Krishnagiri districts of Tamil Nadu.
The main objective of the project is improvement of infrastructure in the state of Tamil Nadu and to increase the capacity of the sections of the National Highways.
The temple at Tiruvannamalai is a famous pilgrimage centre, which falls on this stretch. It will also increase the employment potential to the local labourers for the project activities.
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The estimated total project cost of the sub project is Rs.610.21 crore under DBFOT pattern on BOT (Annuity) mode of delivery.
The concession period is for 15 years including a construction period of two years, thus allowing 26 semi-annual annuities to be paid to the concessionaire from the date of commissioning of operations.
The project road passes through Villupuram, Tiruvannamalai and Krishnagiri districts of Tamil Nadu.
The main objective of the project is improvement of infrastructure in the state of Tamil Nadu and to increase the capacity of the sections of the National Highways.
The temple at Tiruvannamalai is a famous pilgrimage centre, which falls on this stretch. It will also increase the employment potential to the local labourers for the project activities.
null
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Villupuram kids lose childhood in Chennai kitchens
Nov. 27: Preethi (all names changed) got the beating of her life, which is all of six years now, for breaking an egg while fetching the packet from the grocer for her employer in Chennai. She went back to the store sobbing, pleading for a replacement. The kind shopkeeper gave her an egg and dialed 1098 to alert the childline.
“That little girl was brought from Uttar Pradesh to work at the house of a Chennai businessman on a measly salary. She was made to take care of the boss’ baby, clean the house and help the wife in the kitchen,” recalled Dr P. Manorama, chairperson, child welfare committee. After being rescued by the childline, the girl refused to go back to UP and stopped her wailing only after she was assured that she would be brought up in a government home in Chennai and educated.
“She was one among the eight children and was certain that her parents would pack her off to some other distant employer. Now she is attending school here and is happy. We are rescuing at least 50 such kids from various households in Chennai in a month. Most of the employers were educated and well-employed, yet resorted to these cruel practices,” added Dr Manorama.
A childline volunteer recalled the case of Kavitha, 10, who was rescued from a posh house in T’Nagar very recently after neighbours reported that the girl was scavenging the roadside garbage bin for food. “She had jumped the wall to get out to search for food in the garbage. She was hungry and the employers were away on a vacation, leaving the girl and an older servant at home,” the volunteer recalled. “Kavitha’s legs bore bad burn marks as she was made to clean the toilets using acid.”
Childline recently rescued a 12-year-old ‘slave’ from an affluent home in Villivakkam after the girl was badly beaten up for not cooking the rice properly. “She had severe injuries. We found out that she was supplied by an agent who collected a hefty advance from the employer and paid a small portion to the girl’s family in Salem,” said Dr Manorama.
The child trafficking is superbly networked as agents from different parts of the country liaise for fixing the kids in homes and business places after collecting advance sums, from which they pick up handsome cuts. “Villupuram appears to be a hub as many kids have come from there. We rescue the children and send them back to their families but they are sent out again on work, to some other faraway place,” said Dr Manorama, adding that many kids from Tamil Nadu are sent to work in households in Kerala and north India while children from the north are brought to south to slog.
The state does little to help the child slave. “I am not aware of any agent being punished till now, though the Villupuram police are well aware of this trafficking for many years,” said Virgl D Sami, director of the Arunodhaya NGO.
“That little girl was brought from Uttar Pradesh to work at the house of a Chennai businessman on a measly salary. She was made to take care of the boss’ baby, clean the house and help the wife in the kitchen,” recalled Dr P. Manorama, chairperson, child welfare committee. After being rescued by the childline, the girl refused to go back to UP and stopped her wailing only after she was assured that she would be brought up in a government home in Chennai and educated.
“She was one among the eight children and was certain that her parents would pack her off to some other distant employer. Now she is attending school here and is happy. We are rescuing at least 50 such kids from various households in Chennai in a month. Most of the employers were educated and well-employed, yet resorted to these cruel practices,” added Dr Manorama.
A childline volunteer recalled the case of Kavitha, 10, who was rescued from a posh house in T’Nagar very recently after neighbours reported that the girl was scavenging the roadside garbage bin for food. “She had jumped the wall to get out to search for food in the garbage. She was hungry and the employers were away on a vacation, leaving the girl and an older servant at home,” the volunteer recalled. “Kavitha’s legs bore bad burn marks as she was made to clean the toilets using acid.”
Childline recently rescued a 12-year-old ‘slave’ from an affluent home in Villivakkam after the girl was badly beaten up for not cooking the rice properly. “She had severe injuries. We found out that she was supplied by an agent who collected a hefty advance from the employer and paid a small portion to the girl’s family in Salem,” said Dr Manorama.
The child trafficking is superbly networked as agents from different parts of the country liaise for fixing the kids in homes and business places after collecting advance sums, from which they pick up handsome cuts. “Villupuram appears to be a hub as many kids have come from there. We rescue the children and send them back to their families but they are sent out again on work, to some other faraway place,” said Dr Manorama, adding that many kids from Tamil Nadu are sent to work in households in Kerala and north India while children from the north are brought to south to slog.
The state does little to help the child slave. “I am not aware of any agent being punished till now, though the Villupuram police are well aware of this trafficking for many years,” said Virgl D Sami, director of the Arunodhaya NGO.
Friday, December 10, 2010
Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Movie - Better late than never!
“THE film’s making, right from conception to creation has, for me, been an experience in itself. Recreating the life of one of the greatest visionaries in Indian history has been an experience of a lifetime,” says Jabbar Patel.
The film evolved from the documentary film he made on the life of Dr Ambedkar for Films Division in 1989. Shooting for this documentary was also done part in the US and the UK and mainly in India when Patel met people who were in actual contact with Dr Ambedkar. “The incidents related to me by these people, their fond memories of the learned visionary were so touching and exciting that I thought, the only true tribute to the great man would be a lifesize sketch of Dr Ambedkar on the silver screen.”
The recreation of the period in India and abroad as well, was a huge task. Institutes like the Columbia University New York and the London School of Economics where Dr Ambedkar studied, lent support and the shoots were done free of cost.
The ordeal of recreation did not limit itself to just the architecture or the period but it went as far as the actor who had to live the role of Ambedkar. The search for the actor did not limit itself to India but was also carried out on the other side of the Atlantic. But finally it was the face and the talent of the Southern superstar, Mammootty that presented itself.
The choice of Mammootty to play the role of Ambedkar was so appropriate that hundreds of untouchables or Dalits who would come to take part in shootings would be so emotionally moved that they would come to Mammootty with devotion in their hearts and tears in their eyes.
The technicians working for the film had an ambition. They wanted to achieve technical excellence, a film that was made on international standards and that would stand the test of an international audience. And so the style of production was lavish.
A select few have already seen the film in special screenings and have appreciated it to a great extent. These include people from the field of art, literature, law and politics. And their reactions have been favourable. Some representing the common stratum of society have also previewed the film and their reactions have been touching and overwhelming, especially those who were contemporaries of Dr Ambedkar.
The film is significant in that, though the ethos is Indian, it has an universal appeal. After all, political and social disparity is a feature of civilisations all over the world. The basic aim of the social revolution is to uphold the meaning of humanity in its true sense.
The film spans between the years 1901-1956, and takes us through 60 years, two world wars, and three countries — India, USA and Britain. Both a personal portrait, as well as a record of the times, it is above all one man’s fight against the tyranny of Hindu orthodoxy, against tradition, against Indian political heroes and saints such as Mahatma Gandhi, who were more interested in political reforms than social reforms. Dr Ambedkar walked a lonely path: he never once strayed from it, even though in the process he became the most hated man in Hindu India.
Born in an ‘untouchable’ family at a time when untouchables were forbidden education, Ambedkar bore many insults and humiliations at the hands of his fellow students and became the first graduate of his community. Later, while studying at Columbia University, New York, Ambedkar was able to rid himself of the stigma of untouchability and breathe the air of freedom. But at the same time living next to Harlem he could equate the fate of his people with that of the Afro-Americans.
Though they belonged to the same religion, untouchables were treated worse than the lowliest animals by the upper castes. Sanctified by religion and centuries of tradition, high caste Hindus considered themselves polluted if they came into contact with an untouchable. Though they worshiped the same God they could not enter the temples. All public services including the police and the military were closed to them. They were permitted only to follow their hereditary occupations of scavenging, street sweeping, skinning and tanning animal hides.
Gandhi appealed to Hindus for a change of heart. On the other hand Ambedkar wanted political rights. Gandhi saw untouchables as an indivisible part of Hindu society. Ambedkar, disgusted with Hinduism saw the depressed classes as separate. Gandhi thought once the British left, India would right itself.
Ambedkar was not willing to take the chance. “Don’t call Gandhi a saint. He is a seasoned politician. When everything else fails, Gandhi will resort to intrigue. Don’t fall under his spell, he’s not God... Mahatmas have come and Mahatmas have gone but untouchables have remained untouchables,” Ambedkar warned his people.
This confrontation with Gandhi, which made Ambedkar the most hated man in India, was resolved with Indian Independence when Gandhi insisted Ambedkar to be inducted into the first cabinet. Even though they had been on opposite side of the fence, Gandhi respected his former adversary. Thus Ambedkar became India’s first law minister under Prime Minister Nehru and it fell upon him to draft India’s Constitution.
Throughout his life Ambedkar’s endeavours to reform Hindu society had borne stubborn resistance and he had been on a life long search for a religion, a moral social order that would not sanctify the exploitation of man by man. His search led him to Buddhism, which he regarded as rational and egalitarian.
On 14th October 1956 Ambedkar renounced Hinduism and embraced Buddhism. Millions of untouchables followed him, threw away their Hindu idols, embraced en masses this new religion. This perhaps was the biggest social revolution witnessed by the subcontinent in a millennia.
Though this story is particular to India, it is also universal. While Dr Ambedkar was rooted in India, he also had an international outlook. There will always be people like him who struggle to better the lot of the exploited, the downtrodden, and the forgotten. His was the universal fight of the underdog, to gain his people a rightful place in the sun.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Air-conditioned co-operative medical shop opened
Higher Education Minister K. Ponmudy inaugurated the fully air-conditioned medical shop set up by the Cooperative Department on the K.K.Road, opposite Central Bank of India, here on Monday.
The cooperative medical shop would stock all kinds of drugs and would dispense the medicines at concessional prices. The medicine sold through this shop would not suffer (OOTC:WLVTQ) any sales tax.
For life-saving drugs a discount of up to 12 per cent would be given to all sections of the society and further, the senior citizens would enjoy an additional benefit of 0.5 per cent (on the prices of drugs).
The medical shop would be open on all days, including on Sundays, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Computerised billing would be generated for every purchase made from the shop.
The Minister further said that the shop was opened in tune with the announcement made by Chief Minister M.Karunanidhi in the budget session of the State Assembly that every district would have two medical shops run by the Cooperative Department.
One more cooperative medical shop would be opened soon, Mr. Ponmudy added. District Collector R.Palanisamy, Joint Registrar of Cooperative Societies J.Malarvizhi, Special Officer Renukambal, S.Pushparaj, MLA, and others participated.
The cooperative medical shop would stock all kinds of drugs and would dispense the medicines at concessional prices. The medicine sold through this shop would not suffer (OOTC:WLVTQ) any sales tax.
For life-saving drugs a discount of up to 12 per cent would be given to all sections of the society and further, the senior citizens would enjoy an additional benefit of 0.5 per cent (on the prices of drugs).
The medical shop would be open on all days, including on Sundays, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Computerised billing would be generated for every purchase made from the shop.
The Minister further said that the shop was opened in tune with the announcement made by Chief Minister M.Karunanidhi in the budget session of the State Assembly that every district would have two medical shops run by the Cooperative Department.
One more cooperative medical shop would be opened soon, Mr. Ponmudy added. District Collector R.Palanisamy, Joint Registrar of Cooperative Societies J.Malarvizhi, Special Officer Renukambal, S.Pushparaj, MLA, and others participated.
Women’s rights activists slam DMK government
CHENNAI: Women’s rights activists on Thursday slammed the DMK government for its alleged “anti-woman” and “anti-Dalit” policies and framed a chargesheet against the regime.
The meeting was organised by All India Democratic Women’s Association to mark the International Day against Violence. Association state general secretary U Vasuki said that a chargesheet has been prepared against the government for violation of various sections of the Constitution and also several cases of harassment against women.
These include insult and abuse of women using vulgar language during agitations, she said while citing the examples of the attack on MLA Latha while seeking entry for Dalits in Draupadiamman Temple in Kangiyanur in Villupuram district.
“Another woman activist Poongothai, who is also the secretary of AIDWA, was allegedly injured in the protest in the Uthapuram issue,” said Vasuki, adding that these kinds of assaults on women should be punishable under IPC Section 324/325/326 and Section 307 that includes life term imprisonment and a fine. She also highlighted the price rise of essential commodities during the DMK regime and said the government should resign for failing to curb the trend. “The government should be charged under the Prevention of Corruption Act for using public money for organising ruling party functions besides conducting government functions in a grandiose manner,” she added.
Vasuki was also harsh on the government for diverting Special Component plan fund for Dalits to populist schemes besides not giving freedom to Dalit panchayat presidents and non-implementation of Tribal Protection Act.
As the series of violations were read out, activists symbolically burst balloons highlighting the filing of chargesheet.
The meeting was organised by All India Democratic Women’s Association to mark the International Day against Violence. Association state general secretary U Vasuki said that a chargesheet has been prepared against the government for violation of various sections of the Constitution and also several cases of harassment against women.
These include insult and abuse of women using vulgar language during agitations, she said while citing the examples of the attack on MLA Latha while seeking entry for Dalits in Draupadiamman Temple in Kangiyanur in Villupuram district.
“Another woman activist Poongothai, who is also the secretary of AIDWA, was allegedly injured in the protest in the Uthapuram issue,” said Vasuki, adding that these kinds of assaults on women should be punishable under IPC Section 324/325/326 and Section 307 that includes life term imprisonment and a fine. She also highlighted the price rise of essential commodities during the DMK regime and said the government should resign for failing to curb the trend. “The government should be charged under the Prevention of Corruption Act for using public money for organising ruling party functions besides conducting government functions in a grandiose manner,” she added.
Vasuki was also harsh on the government for diverting Special Component plan fund for Dalits to populist schemes besides not giving freedom to Dalit panchayat presidents and non-implementation of Tribal Protection Act.
As the series of violations were read out, activists symbolically burst balloons highlighting the filing of chargesheet.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Monsoon toll goes up to 87 in Tamil Nadu
CHENNAI: With the northeast monsoon lashing several parts of Tamil Nadu, more than 80 people have been killed in house collapses, flash floods and lightning strikes. Putting the death toll at 87 since the onset of the monsoons on November 1, the DGP's office said the highest number of deaths, at least 17, were recorded in Villupuram district.
Reservoirs brimmed and rivers overflowed, flooding several places in south, central and western Tamil Nadu. The state revenue department placed the death toll at 57. The figures were yet to be updated for deaths that occurred in the past week, revenue secretary K Dhanavel said.
Chennai meteorological department director S R Ramanan predicted more rains in the southern districts.
Residents of low-lying areas close to Amaravathy in Karur and Cooleroon in Tiruchi have been warned by PWD officials about impending floods. Though no flood alert has been issued, residents have been asked to stay away from the river banks. Due to incessant rains in the region in the past few days, Amaravathy and Cauvery rivers are filled to the brim in Karur district.
In Coimbatore, a 10-year-old girl hailing from Bihar died at Kuniamuthur in the city when the mud wall of her house collapsed early Monday morning. In Villupuram, the latest casualty was a 75-year-old woman, N Kanangambaram, who was crushed to death when the walls of her house collapsed following incessant rain on Sunday in Athichanallur village in the district. Her 80-year-old husband, Narayanasamy Reddiar, was injured and has been admitted at Tirukovilyur government general hospital.
In another recent rain-related incident, a couple were crushed to death while their son and daughter sustained severe injuries when their house collapsed due to incessant rains at Ashokapuri village in Villupuram district.
Met director Ramanan said 11cm rainfall was recorded in Ambasamudram of Tirunelveli district and Dharapuram of Coimbatore district in 24 hours. He said the trough of low pressure that formed off the Sri Lankan coast on Friday moved westwards and now extends from Sri Lanka to south Tamil Nadu. This is likely to bring more rains to Tamil Nadu.
Reservoirs brimmed and rivers overflowed, flooding several places in south, central and western Tamil Nadu. The state revenue department placed the death toll at 57. The figures were yet to be updated for deaths that occurred in the past week, revenue secretary K Dhanavel said.
Chennai meteorological department director S R Ramanan predicted more rains in the southern districts.
Residents of low-lying areas close to Amaravathy in Karur and Cooleroon in Tiruchi have been warned by PWD officials about impending floods. Though no flood alert has been issued, residents have been asked to stay away from the river banks. Due to incessant rains in the region in the past few days, Amaravathy and Cauvery rivers are filled to the brim in Karur district.
In Coimbatore, a 10-year-old girl hailing from Bihar died at Kuniamuthur in the city when the mud wall of her house collapsed early Monday morning. In Villupuram, the latest casualty was a 75-year-old woman, N Kanangambaram, who was crushed to death when the walls of her house collapsed following incessant rain on Sunday in Athichanallur village in the district. Her 80-year-old husband, Narayanasamy Reddiar, was injured and has been admitted at Tirukovilyur government general hospital.
In another recent rain-related incident, a couple were crushed to death while their son and daughter sustained severe injuries when their house collapsed due to incessant rains at Ashokapuri village in Villupuram district.
Met director Ramanan said 11cm rainfall was recorded in Ambasamudram of Tirunelveli district and Dharapuram of Coimbatore district in 24 hours. He said the trough of low pressure that formed off the Sri Lankan coast on Friday moved westwards and now extends from Sri Lanka to south Tamil Nadu. This is likely to bring more rains to Tamil Nadu.
Karunanidhi asks ministers to help in flood relief
Chennai, Nov 23 (IANS) With heavy rains lashing Tamil Nadu and a flood warning issued in many districts, Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi Tuesday appealed to ministers and DMK party men to assist in the rescue efforts in affected areas.
The northeast monsoon has been active over Tamil Nadu since Oct 29 and the southern districts in the state have experienced good rains.
In a statement issued here, Karunanidhi said: 'Even though district collectors and other state government officials are working hard in flood relief activities due to heavy rains, state ministers and party men should cooperate with government officials in the relief operations, assess the damage and report it to the government through district collectors.'
In Madurai, the gates of the Vaigai Dam were opened Tuesday morning as the water level was rising fast and flood warning was issued to nearby districts.
At least five people have lost their lives due to rains in the state following wall collapses in different incidents in Madurai, Villupuram and Coimbatore since Sunday.
The weatherman has predicted isolated heavy rain over Tamil Nadu and Puducherry for the next two days.
The northeast monsoon has been active over Tamil Nadu since Oct 29 and the southern districts in the state have experienced good rains.
In a statement issued here, Karunanidhi said: 'Even though district collectors and other state government officials are working hard in flood relief activities due to heavy rains, state ministers and party men should cooperate with government officials in the relief operations, assess the damage and report it to the government through district collectors.'
In Madurai, the gates of the Vaigai Dam were opened Tuesday morning as the water level was rising fast and flood warning was issued to nearby districts.
At least five people have lost their lives due to rains in the state following wall collapses in different incidents in Madurai, Villupuram and Coimbatore since Sunday.
The weatherman has predicted isolated heavy rain over Tamil Nadu and Puducherry for the next two days.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Education Minister K. Ponmudy says; Over 2,500 students given education loan
Villupuram, 22nd Nov: Higher Education Minister K. Ponmudy disbursed educational loan of Rs. 26.53 crore to a total of 2,512 students at a function held here on Saturday. He said that three decades ago, higher education was beyond the reach of the economically weaker sections.
It was a pipe dream especially for students belonging to the poor and the depressed classes because they did not have the financial backing or wherewithal to pursue higher education. If at all banks came forward to provide financial assistance, they did so based on the strength of collaterals.
Having realised the difficulties of the vast majority of students who could not take up higher education without monetary support,
Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi had launched the educational loan scheme. It had come as a great relief to parents who could not even pay the government fixed tuition fees of Rs. 32,500 for engineering courses.
Mr Ponmudy said that the government's proposal to give free education to the first generation engineering graduates had benefited 75,000 candidates this year. The parents who were keen on getting bank loans for the education of their wards should promptly repay loans. Other students would be able to derive similar benefits only if loans are repaid.
In the sphere of education, Tamil Nadu was forging ahead and it could be seen from the fact that the number of government engineering colleges that stood at six in the past 50 years had leapfrogged to 12 now.
A nursing college would be opened on the premises of the old government hospital here next year. With the setting up of two government engineering colleges, a postgraduate extension centre of Thiruvalluvar University, a government arts college at Thiruvennainallur and a polytechnic college at Thirukkoilur had now become a model district in terms of higher education.
Collector R. Palanisamy said that in the past four years total educational loan of Rs. 254.14 crore was disbursed to 22,883 students.
It was a pipe dream especially for students belonging to the poor and the depressed classes because they did not have the financial backing or wherewithal to pursue higher education. If at all banks came forward to provide financial assistance, they did so based on the strength of collaterals.
Having realised the difficulties of the vast majority of students who could not take up higher education without monetary support,
Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi had launched the educational loan scheme. It had come as a great relief to parents who could not even pay the government fixed tuition fees of Rs. 32,500 for engineering courses.
Mr Ponmudy said that the government's proposal to give free education to the first generation engineering graduates had benefited 75,000 candidates this year. The parents who were keen on getting bank loans for the education of their wards should promptly repay loans. Other students would be able to derive similar benefits only if loans are repaid.
In the sphere of education, Tamil Nadu was forging ahead and it could be seen from the fact that the number of government engineering colleges that stood at six in the past 50 years had leapfrogged to 12 now.
A nursing college would be opened on the premises of the old government hospital here next year. With the setting up of two government engineering colleges, a postgraduate extension centre of Thiruvalluvar University, a government arts college at Thiruvennainallur and a polytechnic college at Thirukkoilur had now become a model district in terms of higher education.
Collector R. Palanisamy said that in the past four years total educational loan of Rs. 254.14 crore was disbursed to 22,883 students.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Training programme on grassy weed managment
The Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU),Coimbatore Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Tindivanam in Villupuram District and the Salem branch of New Delhi based Dhanuka Agritech Limited organized a field day cum farmers training programme on grassy weeds management.
The training was on using Targa Super Herbicide (5 per cent EC Technology) on pulse crops.
Pulses, particularly such as blackgram are predominantly cultivated in Rabi season in Villupuram and Cuddalore Districts at KVK Tindivanam.
Field visits
Farmers were taken to the blackgram fields in the KVK farm and shown how the difference between herbicide sprayed field (to control grassy weeds), compared with the nearby unsprayed control, where the main blackgram crop was not visible due to heavy weed growth.
The farmers were informed about the various schemes and support given by the State Agriculture Department to increase pulses growing area and production to farmers.
“The need of the hour was to increase the per hectare productivity of pulses by adopting the crop improvement technologies developed by the University,” said Dr.N. Sathiah, Professor and Head, KVK .
Detailed information
A detailed information session about Targa super herbicide, dose per acre, mode of action, time and stages of application and recommended crops was also conducted for the them.
Clarifications regarding rain fastness, effects on succeeding crops and packing availability were done, followed by presentations on importance of seed treatment wetting agent, pest management and mechanisation in pulse crops.
More than 100 farmers from in and around Tindivanam participated in the training programme.
The training was on using Targa Super Herbicide (5 per cent EC Technology) on pulse crops.
Pulses, particularly such as blackgram are predominantly cultivated in Rabi season in Villupuram and Cuddalore Districts at KVK Tindivanam.
Field visits
Farmers were taken to the blackgram fields in the KVK farm and shown how the difference between herbicide sprayed field (to control grassy weeds), compared with the nearby unsprayed control, where the main blackgram crop was not visible due to heavy weed growth.
The farmers were informed about the various schemes and support given by the State Agriculture Department to increase pulses growing area and production to farmers.
“The need of the hour was to increase the per hectare productivity of pulses by adopting the crop improvement technologies developed by the University,” said Dr.N. Sathiah, Professor and Head, KVK .
Detailed information
A detailed information session about Targa super herbicide, dose per acre, mode of action, time and stages of application and recommended crops was also conducted for the them.
Clarifications regarding rain fastness, effects on succeeding crops and packing availability were done, followed by presentations on importance of seed treatment wetting agent, pest management and mechanisation in pulse crops.
More than 100 farmers from in and around Tindivanam participated in the training programme.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
TNAU Forecasts Prices Of Karthigaipattam Crops
In Tamil Nadu Bengal gram, Coriander and Cumbu are three important food crops grown in Karthigaipattam season (October ,November sowing).This year, with an expectation of normal north east monsoon season farmers intend to cultivate these important food crops.
To facilitate farmers in order to take cultivation decisions in getting better price for their products Domestic and Export Market Intelligence Cell (DEMIC) functioning in Centre for Agricultural and Rural Development Studies (CARDS), Tamil Nadu Agricultural University analyzed the prices of above crops.
BENGAL GRAM:
Globally Bengal gram was cultivated in 11.08 million hectares leading to a production of 9.77 million tonnes in 2009-10. India stands first in Bengal gram production with a share of 70 per cent along with a consumption of 90 per cent of world production. It was cultivated in 7.5 million hectares in 2009 and the production was 6.54 million tonnes.
In Tamil Nadu Bengal gram is normally sown in Karthigai (November) and harvested in February-March. It was cultivated in 0.68 million hectare leading to a production 0.45 million tonnes in 2009. Coimbatore district occupied 81 per cent of the crop followed by Dindigul and Dharmapuri districts.
Trade sources revealed that expected arrivals from other major producing countries during November-December followed by local arrivals during February- March will keep its prices firm. Bengal gram prices prevailed in Udumalpet market for last nine years were collected and analyzed. NAIP-DEMIC analysis confirmed that the price of Bengal gram will hover around Rs. 2400-2500 per quintal during February-March, 2011, i.e. during harvest period.
BAJRA:
Cumbu or bajra is one of the major coarse grain cereal crops. It is also one of the most drought resistant crops among cereals and millets. It is also used as poultry feed and green fodder for cattle. In India, during 2008-09, Cumbu was cultivated in 9.71 million hectares with a production of 8.88 million tonnes. Cumbu is cultivated mostly in Oct-Dec. Mainly it is sown during October based on the rainfall occurrence. Also during summer it is grown in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Punjab and Gujarat as an irrigated crop.
In Tamil Nadu, it is grown in an area of about 0.59 lakh hectares with a production of 0.85 lakh tonnes and productivity of 1436 kg per hectare. Villupuram district has the highest area of 15,172 hectares followed by Thoothukudi, Madurai, Thiruvannamalai and Dindigul districts.
During the last harvest season (January, 2010) the price was Rs. 8 per kg .Trade sources revealed that there was a shift towards maize crop because labour charges are more in cumbu than maize. Hence this year, the area and production of cumbu is likely to see a downtrend.
As per the econometric analysis done by Domestic and Export Market Intelligence Cell, on the last 15 years cumbu price of Kovilpatti market, the price of cumbu during Feb-March 2011, i.e., during harvest of karthigai sown crop would revolve around Rs, 750-875 per quintal. Based on this price farmers are advised to take their decision on sowing of cumbu.
To facilitate farmers in order to take cultivation decisions in getting better price for their products Domestic and Export Market Intelligence Cell (DEMIC) functioning in Centre for Agricultural and Rural Development Studies (CARDS), Tamil Nadu Agricultural University analyzed the prices of above crops.
BENGAL GRAM:
Globally Bengal gram was cultivated in 11.08 million hectares leading to a production of 9.77 million tonnes in 2009-10. India stands first in Bengal gram production with a share of 70 per cent along with a consumption of 90 per cent of world production. It was cultivated in 7.5 million hectares in 2009 and the production was 6.54 million tonnes.
In Tamil Nadu Bengal gram is normally sown in Karthigai (November) and harvested in February-March. It was cultivated in 0.68 million hectare leading to a production 0.45 million tonnes in 2009. Coimbatore district occupied 81 per cent of the crop followed by Dindigul and Dharmapuri districts.
Trade sources revealed that expected arrivals from other major producing countries during November-December followed by local arrivals during February- March will keep its prices firm. Bengal gram prices prevailed in Udumalpet market for last nine years were collected and analyzed. NAIP-DEMIC analysis confirmed that the price of Bengal gram will hover around Rs. 2400-2500 per quintal during February-March, 2011, i.e. during harvest period.
BAJRA:
Cumbu or bajra is one of the major coarse grain cereal crops. It is also one of the most drought resistant crops among cereals and millets. It is also used as poultry feed and green fodder for cattle. In India, during 2008-09, Cumbu was cultivated in 9.71 million hectares with a production of 8.88 million tonnes. Cumbu is cultivated mostly in Oct-Dec. Mainly it is sown during October based on the rainfall occurrence. Also during summer it is grown in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Punjab and Gujarat as an irrigated crop.
In Tamil Nadu, it is grown in an area of about 0.59 lakh hectares with a production of 0.85 lakh tonnes and productivity of 1436 kg per hectare. Villupuram district has the highest area of 15,172 hectares followed by Thoothukudi, Madurai, Thiruvannamalai and Dindigul districts.
During the last harvest season (January, 2010) the price was Rs. 8 per kg .Trade sources revealed that there was a shift towards maize crop because labour charges are more in cumbu than maize. Hence this year, the area and production of cumbu is likely to see a downtrend.
As per the econometric analysis done by Domestic and Export Market Intelligence Cell, on the last 15 years cumbu price of Kovilpatti market, the price of cumbu during Feb-March 2011, i.e., during harvest of karthigai sown crop would revolve around Rs, 750-875 per quintal. Based on this price farmers are advised to take their decision on sowing of cumbu.
Tuesday, November 09, 2010
Greens cry foul over new Puducherry harbour
Environmental activists, farmers and NGOs have raised serious concerns over the construction of a fish-landing facility in Murthikuppam hamlet near here. They say the project will trigger erosion along the coast and adversely affect the livelihood of the coastal population.
Activists and NGOs under the banner Alliance for Good Governance have submitted a memorandum to Union minister for environment and forests Jairam Ramesh and Puducherry Lt. Governor Iqbal Singh, urging that the construction of the new harbour be stopped. Puducherry harbour, constructed by the port department in 1989, has already destroyed the coastline north of the harbour including many villages in Villupuram district in Tamil Nadu.
“The project affected the livelihood of over 7,000 families and the coast has become vulnerable to cyclones and tsunamis. Instead of tackling the problem, the Puducherry government is now constructing another harbour in Murthikuppam, which will destroy what remains of the Union Territory’s coastline,” PondyCAN member Probir Banerjee told Deccan Chronicle. “The project is a man-made disaster in the making.”
Another fallout of the new harbour, environmentalists note, will be accretion of sand in the south which will block the mouth of Pennayar River and cause flooding of the area. The proposed project includes dredging in the mouth of Mullodai Canal and construction of two breakwaters to reduce the accumulation of sand in the canal mouth.
The environmentalists say the PWD has taken up construction of the harbour under the false claim that during the tsunami on December 26, 2004, the mouth of the link canal was blocked with sand dunes, preventing fishermen from bringing in their boats to safety. However, Survey of India maps show sand dunes separating Mullodai Canal from the sea. Environmentalists claim the village was saved during tsunami due to the presence of the sand dunes. While hundreds died in Cuddalore district 2 km south of this village, no major damage was reported in Murthikuppam.
“PWD officials are making false claims that the construction will not cause any erosion even though they know that large chunks of land on the Puducherry-Tamil Nadu coastline are being gobbled up by the sea every year due to the present harbour at Thengaithittu,” an activist said.
“If the sand dunes are destroyed, villages on the coastline will be more vulnerable when cyclones and tsunamis strike.” When contacted, a senior PWD official pointed out that Environment Impact Assessment had not been conducted for the project as work only involved removing the blockage. “There will be no erosion due to construction of the harbour,” he maintained.
Activists and NGOs under the banner Alliance for Good Governance have submitted a memorandum to Union minister for environment and forests Jairam Ramesh and Puducherry Lt. Governor Iqbal Singh, urging that the construction of the new harbour be stopped. Puducherry harbour, constructed by the port department in 1989, has already destroyed the coastline north of the harbour including many villages in Villupuram district in Tamil Nadu.
“The project affected the livelihood of over 7,000 families and the coast has become vulnerable to cyclones and tsunamis. Instead of tackling the problem, the Puducherry government is now constructing another harbour in Murthikuppam, which will destroy what remains of the Union Territory’s coastline,” PondyCAN member Probir Banerjee told Deccan Chronicle. “The project is a man-made disaster in the making.”
Another fallout of the new harbour, environmentalists note, will be accretion of sand in the south which will block the mouth of Pennayar River and cause flooding of the area. The proposed project includes dredging in the mouth of Mullodai Canal and construction of two breakwaters to reduce the accumulation of sand in the canal mouth.
The environmentalists say the PWD has taken up construction of the harbour under the false claim that during the tsunami on December 26, 2004, the mouth of the link canal was blocked with sand dunes, preventing fishermen from bringing in their boats to safety. However, Survey of India maps show sand dunes separating Mullodai Canal from the sea. Environmentalists claim the village was saved during tsunami due to the presence of the sand dunes. While hundreds died in Cuddalore district 2 km south of this village, no major damage was reported in Murthikuppam.
“PWD officials are making false claims that the construction will not cause any erosion even though they know that large chunks of land on the Puducherry-Tamil Nadu coastline are being gobbled up by the sea every year due to the present harbour at Thengaithittu,” an activist said.
“If the sand dunes are destroyed, villages on the coastline will be more vulnerable when cyclones and tsunamis strike.” When contacted, a senior PWD official pointed out that Environment Impact Assessment had not been conducted for the project as work only involved removing the blockage. “There will be no erosion due to construction of the harbour,” he maintained.
Cyclone Jal brought rain to districts, not city
Though Cyclone Jal did not bring much rain to Chennai, many of the interior districts received copious amount of rain. “At least 10 districts in the state received substantial amount of rain,” said Dr Y.E.A. Raj, deputy director general of the Regional Meteorological Center (RMC) here. “Interestingly, some of the drier districts got more rain that the usual rain-prone regions.”
Districts that received good rains over the last few days include Gingee (16cms), Panruti (15cms), Ambur (13cms), Tiruvannamalai (12cms), Villupuram (10cms), Tindivanam (10cms), Polur and Vandavasi (8cms). Even Chengalpattu (8cms) and Tiruvallur (7cms) districts received more rainfall than Chennai.
However, the good news for Chennaiites is that even though the northeast monsoon has been active only for a couple of weeks, the city has already received the average annual rainfall for the year.
“The annual rainfall for the city is 122 cms and we have already received 116 cms of rain so far, this year,” said Dr Raj. “We still have at least five to six weeks of active monsoon season. As in the recent past, Chennai is likely to receive above average rainfall this year too.”
Weather experts say that there has been a substantial increase in the amount of rains received by the city over the last 40 years. “Our records indicate that the annual rainfall for Chennai between 1969 and 2009 has been around 140 cms, which is a significant increase from the earlier years when the average was just around 122 cms,” said a senior official of RMC.
Despite this, the city is usually projected as a water-starved metropolis because of the exponential growth in population and the hot, humid climate. “We have water scarcity only during summer because we are bad at managing rainwater and not because there is not enough rain,” said the official.
“We are getting more rain now than ever before.” added the official of the meteorological center .
Districts that received good rains over the last few days include Gingee (16cms), Panruti (15cms), Ambur (13cms), Tiruvannamalai (12cms), Villupuram (10cms), Tindivanam (10cms), Polur and Vandavasi (8cms). Even Chengalpattu (8cms) and Tiruvallur (7cms) districts received more rainfall than Chennai.
However, the good news for Chennaiites is that even though the northeast monsoon has been active only for a couple of weeks, the city has already received the average annual rainfall for the year.
“The annual rainfall for the city is 122 cms and we have already received 116 cms of rain so far, this year,” said Dr Raj. “We still have at least five to six weeks of active monsoon season. As in the recent past, Chennai is likely to receive above average rainfall this year too.”
Weather experts say that there has been a substantial increase in the amount of rains received by the city over the last 40 years. “Our records indicate that the annual rainfall for Chennai between 1969 and 2009 has been around 140 cms, which is a significant increase from the earlier years when the average was just around 122 cms,” said a senior official of RMC.
Despite this, the city is usually projected as a water-starved metropolis because of the exponential growth in population and the hot, humid climate. “We have water scarcity only during summer because we are bad at managing rainwater and not because there is not enough rain,” said the official.
“We are getting more rain now than ever before.” added the official of the meteorological center .
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