Janakipuram flyover will be ready next month: T.R. Baalu

VILLUPURAM: Union Minister for Shipping, Road Transport and Highways T.R. Baalu has said that the work on the flyover at Janakipuram railway gate here will be completed by November-end .

After inspecting the progress of works on Thursday, Mr. Baalu told reporters that the crucial part of linking both ends of the flyover (over the railway track) could be executed only after halting the train services for two to three days, for which special permission ought to be obtained from the Railways.

Later, he inspected the works on the bridge being built across the Then Pennaiyar. Only five per cent of works had to be completed. The high-level bridge across the Gedilam had been completed and both the bridges would be ready for use by November.

Mr. Baalu said that the demand of the residents of Vikkiravandi, Madapattu, Thozhudur and Veppur for construction of foot overbridges would be conceded.

He noted that the 35-km Villupuram-Ulundurpet four-lane highway would be completed three to four months ahead of schedule.

It would be ready by November.

This stretch would comprise a railway bridge, two high-level bridges, seven small bridges and one pedestrian causeway at Madapattu. Mr. Baalu said that four toll plazas would be set up along the Tindivanam-Tiruchi highway and one of them would be at Vikkiravandi.

Those carrying agriculture produce and local residents would be given identity cards to freely pass through these toll plazas.

As regards setting up of the Rs. 240-crore National Maritime University in Chennai, Mr. Baalu said the availability of 300 acres of land had come in handy for the purpose. Later, Mr. Baalu inspected the works on the 160-metre-long bridge being built across the Gomukhi at Seppakkam near Vriddhachalam at an estimated cost of Rs. 5 crore.

He also inspected the 46-km road being constructed between Ulundurpet and Thozhudur (both in Cuddalore district) at an estimated cost of Rs. 240 crore.

These projects would also be completed by November, Mr. Baalu said.

Over Rs 1,255-cr. credit disbursement target fixed for Villupuram

VILLUPURAM: Collector R. Palanisamy launched the Rs. 1,255.34-crore Potential Linked Credit Plan (PLP) for the district for 2009-10 at the bankers’ committee meeting held here on Tuesday.

He handed over the first copy of the plan to Annamalai, Chief Manager, Lead Bank Coordinator, Indian Bank, Villupuram. Assistant General Manager of National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) G.Uma Maheswara Rao explained the objectives and methodologies in the preparation of the PLP.

He said that as per the Reserve Bank of India guidelines, the PLP would be the basis for the preparation of the Annual Credit Plan (ACP) of the district. The PLP was being prepared taking into account the existing infrastructure, the facilities to be created, the thrust of government-sponsored programmes and the credit absorption capacity of the banks.

The PLP envisaged total credit disbursement of Rs. 1,255.34 crore, registering an increase of 22.8 per cent over the ACP of the district for 2008-09.

The banks in the district were expected to disburse Rs. 1,051.82 crore to the agriculture sector, including Rs. 902.40 crore towards crop loans and Rs. 149.42 crore for agriculture term loans. The allocation on this score marked an increase of 22.3 per cent over that of the previous year plan target.

Similarly, under the industrial and services sectors, the banks were expected to lend Rs. 56.51 crore and Rs. 147 crore respectively in 2009-10. Mr. Rao further said that so far the NABARD had provided assistance to the tune for Rs. 360.60 crore from the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund for the implementation of 1,212 projects such as construction of roads, schools, bridges, check-dams, health and veterinary projects.

Officials, bank coordinators and representatives of non-governmental organisations participated in the meeting.

Baalu chants unity mantra

TINDIVANAM: Union Minister for Shipping, Road Transport and Highways T R Baalu on Tuesday appealed to the leaders of Congress-led United Progressive Alliance Government to remain united and work for the cause of Tamils across the world.
Inaugurating a by-pass road, set up on the upcoming Tindivanam-Tiruchy four-lane in Tindivanam, he said the UPA leaders, including Pattali Makkal Katchi leader Dr S Ramadoss, should remain together and face the forthcoming Lok Saba poll in the state.
All the candidates fielded by Congress-led UPA in the Lok Saba polls were elected with a thumping margin. Under the direction of Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Chief Minister M Karunanidhi, the government had taken up a number of welfare and development projects in the state.
Leaders could not work for the people’s welfare if they were divided among themselves, he said.
In a veiled attack against AIADMK, he said those who were opposing the Sethusamudram project, were anti-socials and anti-Tamils. Nearly 75 per cent of work on Sethusamudram project was completed and he hoped that the Supreme Court would give a favourable ruling on it.
Efforts would be made to set up a multi-crore Indian Maritime University in Chennai shortly.
The Centre had been taking steps to set up a National Waterways Authority and begin ferry service in Buckingham canal connecting Kakinada with Puducherry.
Various road development projects, including golden quadrilateral, were nearing completion.
Work on a four-lane connecting Puducherry with Tindivanam was taken up recently.
TNCC chief K V Thangkabalu said the Congress would not support violence and the party was against LTTE that had killed former Prime Minister and Congress leader Rajiv Gandhi.
However, the party would render its support for the cause of Tamils across the world.
Minister for Higher Education K Ponmudi appealed to Baalu to set up an underbridge on Mailam-Kooteripattu highway near Tindivanam.

New train to Rameswaram from Nov 1

CHENNAI: Railway passengers now have reason to be happy this Deepavali, as the Southern Railway announced its decision to run an express train between Chennai Egmore and Rameswaram on a daily basis from November 1.
The new train will pass through Villupuram ,Vriddhachalam, Tiruchchirappalli, Pudukkottai, Karaikudi and Manamadurai . Train No.6101 Chennai Egmore –Rameswaram Express will leave Chennai Egmore every day at 19.55 hrs and arrive at Rameswarm at 09.00 hrs the next day.
In the return direction, Train No 6102 Rameswaram –Chennai Egmore Express will leave Rameswaram at 17.00 hrs every day and arrive at Chennai Egmore at 06.40hrs the next day.
The composition of the trains will be 1 AC 2 Tier, 2 AC 3 Tier, 10 Sleeper Class, 3 General Second Class and 2 luggage-cum-brake van coaches.
There will be scheduled stops at Tambaram, Chengalpattu, Melmaruvathur, Villupuram, Tiruchchirappalli, Pudukkottai, Chettinad, Karaikkudi, Devakottai Road, Sivaganga, Manamadurai, Paramakkudi, Ramanathapuram and Mandapam.
T.No.6102 will stop at Mambalam also. Advance reservation will begin on Sunday.
The railway also informed that due to the introduction of the new train, the arrival and departure timings of few other trains will be altered from November 1.
In view of the Skanda Shashti festival at Tiruchendur, the Southern Railway will run the following special trains to clear the extra rush of passengers, said a press release.
T.No.0643 Chennai Egmore – Tiruchendur Special will leave Chennai Egmore at 16.45 hrs on November 2 and arrive at Tiruchendur at 10.00 hrs. the next day. T.No.0644 Tiruchendur- Chennai Egmore Special will leave Tiruchendur at 13.00 hrs on November 3 and arrive at Chennai Egmore at 04.45 hrs the next day.
T.No.0645 Chennai Egmore – Tiruchendur Special will leave Chennai Egmore at 16.45 hrs on November 3 and arrive at Tiruchendur at 10.00 hrs the next day. T.No.0646 Tiruchendur- Chennai Egmore Special will leave Tiruchendur at 13.00 hrs on November 4 and arrive at Chennai Egmore at 04.45 hrs the next day.
Advance reservation for the above trains will commence on Sunday.

Thousands take part in human chain despite rain

CHENNAI: Braving heavy rain, leaders of various political parties and thousands of cadres raised slogans and carried placards, as they formed a human chain to demonstrate support for the Sri Lankan Tamils and to press for India’s intervention to stop the military offensive against the Tamils. The Congress, an ally of the ruling DMK, however, did not participate.
Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi, who gave the call for the human chain, visited the starting point opposite Chennai Collectorate and travelled up to Pallavaram. “I congratulate the parties that have taken part in the human chain. I don’t like to say anything about those who failed to participate,” Mr. Karunanidhi said when asked about the parties that did not turn up.
The rainwater was knee-deep near the starting point. For two hours, Finance Minister K. Anbazhagan, Electricity Minister Arcot N. Veeraswami, CPI state secretary D. Pandian, MDMK MP Gingee Ramachandran, Tamil Nadu Muslim Munnetra Kazhagam leader Hyder Ali and others stood on a platform in the rain.
Criticising the Congress, Mr. Pandian said the party was interested in sharing power, but was not ready to join the protest though the party leaders attended the all-party meet.
At the Periyar Statue on the arterial Anna Salai, Mr. Karunanidhi met Dravidar Kazhagam leader K. Veeramani, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi leader Thol. Thirumavalavan and others.
His next meeting was with PMK leader S. Ramadoss, who participated in the protest with party president G.K. Mani and hundreds of cadres. The two leaders, who had not seen each other for months, shook hands.
Local Administration Minister M.K. Stalin participated in the human chain near Guindy.

Pact signed to grant loans under DRI scheme

PUDUCHERRY: Indian Overseas Bank (IOB) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Rotary International-District 2980 to grant loans under Differential Rate of Interest (DRI) scheme to weaker sections of society to take up economic activities under the “IOB-Rotary-Sampoorna Scheme,” on Thursday .
According to a release, the Rotary International would identify beneficiaries to take up economic activities through its 104 clubs in Cuddalore, Villupuram, Salem, Namakkal, Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri, Thanjavur, Thiruvarur, Nagapattinam districts .
Loans would be given to artisans, self-employed persons such as dhobis, cobblers and petty traders. Financial assistance under the DRI scheme would be given to beneficiaries selected by IOB branches in these districts. Loans would be given to individuals with an annual family income up to Rs. 18,000 in rural areas and Rs. 24,000 in semi urban/urban areas, the release said.
A maximum loan amount of Rs. 15,000 for taking up gainful economic activities would be given.

“Benefits of budget yet to reach people”

PUDUCHERRY: Home Minister E.Valsaraj on Saturday said that benefits of tax-free budget were yet to reach the people in Puducherry.
Shortly after inaugurating postgraduate courses at Mother Theresa Post Graduate and Research Institute of Health Sciences, he said the government had been announcing tax-free budgets for the last seven years, but it was of no use to the people.
Cost of commodities in Puducherry was higher than in Tindivanam, Villupuram and Cuddalore.
“But we have a tax-free budget here. The benefits of a tax-free budget have not reached the people. There must be some mistake somewhere and we need to identify it,” he said.
Mr. Valsaraj, who also holds the Health portfolio, said the Union Territory was facing shortage of funds. “Almost 90 per cent of works at the Women and Child Hospital has been completed. We require Rs. 15 crore to complete the works. If this is completed, then we can shift the Government Maternity Hospital soon,” he said.
There were 950 medical seats in Puducherry, but the charm for becoming doctors had reduced, he said. “Service-oriented attitude has reduced. A social change must be brought about and students should become service-minded,” he said.
Director of Health and Family Welfare Dilip Kumar Baliga said a recent survey found that Puducherry was lacking in primary health facilities. “The survey has rated Puducherry 10th in providing primary health services. Puducherry is last when compared to Manipur, Nagaland, Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh,” he said.
For this, the health system should quickly shift from being doctor-centric to community-centric, he said.
Dean of the institute V. Balu said postgraduate courses such as masters in pharmacy, physiotherapy, M.Sc. nursing and a course in post basic B.Sc. nursing had been introduced . He requested the Minister to allot funds for the construction of a hostel for students.

Anbumani lays foundation for Tindivanam-Thiruvannamalai line

GINJEE: Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss laid the foundation for the Tindivanam-Thiruvannamalai broad gauge line, in the presence of Minister of State for Railways R. Velu, here on Wednesday.
Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss said that for want of infrastructure, Villupuram remained a backward district. Though it had produced many Ministers, nothing tangible was done for its growth. But, A.K. Moorthi of the Pattali Makkal Katchi, when he was Minister of State for Railways, conceived the project, which would come off, under the watch of Mr. Velu.
The Rs. 227-crore line, he said, would help to promote the industrial and socio-economic development of the district.
Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss said it was a matter of concern that Villupuram district stood last in education, but first in liquor consumption. A study revealed that TASMAC outlets in Tamil Nadu registered a sales turnover of Rs. 12,000 crore this year, and the average age of addiction had come down from 19 years to 13 years. Many social maladies apart, 40 per cent of the road accidents were attributed to addiction or drunken driving, he said. Scope for improvement
Tamil Nadu stood first in health care delivery, but the system could be improved with better cooperation from the State government, he said. In the past four years, the Union Health Ministry had sanctioned Rs. 1,850 crore to Tamil Nadu for appointing medical staff and improving hospital amenities.
Mr. Velu sought the State government’s cooperation in executing railway projects. Though the Railways had sought 50-100 acres for the Salem Division, the State was yet to respond. The Rs. 98-crore plan to establish a rail link between Chennai Central and Egmore could not take off, for want of the State’s support.

Recognise Eelam Tamils’ struggle for rights: Ramadoss

VILLUPURAM: All political parties and organisations in Tamil Nadu should stand united and insist upon the Union government to recognise the Eelam Tamils’ struggle for their rights, said S. Ramadoss, founder of the Pattali Makkal Katchi.Resolution
In an all-party meeting being convened by Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi on October 14, all leaders should sink their differences and adopt a unanimous resolution urging the Centre to take necessary action for immediate cessation of military attacks on Tamil areas in the island.
The parties should also prevail upon the Centre to stop indirect military support to the Sri Lankan army and withdraw the Indian military experts who had been deputed there for imparting training to them,
Dr. Ramadoss told presspersons at Thailapuram on Friday. Dr. Ramadoss said the Sri Lankan government should allow humanitarian help such as supply of food and medicines to reach war-torn areas through international organisations such as the UNO and International Red Cross Society. Welcomes statement
He welcomed the statement issued by All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam leader Jayalalithaa that food and medicines must be rushed to the Tamil areas in Sri Lanka. Parties should see to it that the Centre implement fully all the resolutions passed in the all-party meeting within a time frame.
He said it must be left to the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam that was acting as a fortress to the ethnic Tamils and the Sri Lankan government to sort out the issue without any external interference or imposition. It was up to them to decide on the creation of a separate Tamil Eelam or an autonomous region, he said.
Dr. Ramadoss said PMK president G.K. Mani would participate in the all-party meeting

Ponmudy inaugurates classrooms

VILLUPURAM: Higher Education Minister K. Ponmudy inaugurated 12 classrooms built at the cost of Rs. 30 lakh at Government Higher Secondary School, Keezhperumbakkam, near here on Saturday.
Mr. Ponmudy said the school lacked benches and the Surya Educational Trust would donate 200 benches.
Seven students from the school had joined two new engineering colleges at Villupuram and Tindivanam, and five students had joined medicine, he said.
Mr. Ponmudy gave away cash prizes to three students, Thamayanthi, Prasanth and Bhuvaneswari, for their oratorical skills. Collector R.Palanisamy and MLA S. Pushparaj spoke.

Miscreants damage mosque dome

VILLUPURAM: Unidentified persons damaged a dome atop a mosque at Chitherikarai near here on Saturday, sending shock waves among the people in the district.
SP Amalraj and DSP Dhakshinamurthi conducted preliminary investigations.
Those who had gone to offer prayer at the masjid noticed that the dome atop the pillar was damaged. A large number of people assembled at the mosque.
The police retrieved empty IMFL bottles from the place, suspected to be left behind by the miscreants. Villupuram police have registered a case.
It may be noted that two persons were arrested for vandalising a cemetery in the town a few days ago. The duo had damaged 20 crosses in a graveyard near Katpadi railway level crossing on Tiruchy-Chennai highway on October 7. Villupuram West police had registered a case and arrested V Kannan (33) of Agarampettai and R Durai (24) of Chitherikarai.

Discrimination against Dalits on the rise in TN

CHENNAI: A public hearing organised here on Friday by the Social Awareness Society for Youths (SASY), a Dalit rights NGO, presented serious forms of discrimination against members of the Scheduled Castes in several districts of Tamil Nadu.
Instances where Dalits had been affected by acute discriminatory practices by dominant caste Hindus were deposed before a seven-member jury and a panel of advocates. Suitable remedial measures were recommended, which also included legal action, besides official proceedings.
The refusal of the police in registering genuine complaints against caste Hindus under the Scheduled Castes and Tribes (Prevention of atrocities) Act 1989 and the practice of filing fake FIRs to placate the dominant castes were among the many serious problems prevalent in most places in the State, Dalit representatives said.
A total of 31 cases punishable under the criminal law and pending at different stages were presented, which included the assault of a Dalit woman panchayat president, the social boycott in many locations by caste Hindus, denial of temple entry rights and the rape and murder of a 13-yearold Scheduled Caste girl.
Director, SASY, V A Ramesh Nathan, said fact-finding committees were set up last year to probe 132 incidents in the districts of Cuddalore,Villupuram, Tuticorin and Coimbatore, besides other places. The outcome revealed that Dalits were the victims of brutal attacks, rape, murder, denial of right to enter temples, besides several other forms of discrimination punishable under the criminal law.
At the end of the meet, SASY demanded that the Tamil Nadu Government implement the SC/ST Act and the rules framed under it, besides providing compensation and justice to the survivors of caste atrocities. The intervention of the National Human Rights Commission, National Commission for Scheduled Caste and other statutory authorities was also urged.
The jury members included MLA and general secretary of VCK D Ravikumar.

Musical tribute to MSV

CHENNAI: S.P.Balasubrahmanyam’s voice had the audience spellbound at Ninaithale Inikkum, a musical tribute to music-director M.S.Viswanathan at Kamarajar Arangam on Saturday.
As he and S.P.Sailaja sang songs such as Ponn Ondru kanden, Kannamma Kanavu Illaya and Maadhamo Aavani, those in the audience, attracted by the touching lyrics and nostalgic tunes were seen joining in.
The programme was organised in support of V-Excel Educational Trust, a Chennai-based non-profit, social organisation committed to holistic development of special children.
When he sang Subramania Bharathi’s Theertha Karaiyile Senbaga Thottathile, he recalled how director K.Balachander would weave in every song with the storyline. S.P.Balasubrahmanyam said FM radio stations must broadcast rare songs such as Kannamma Kanavu Illaya from Vishwa Thulasi.
Commissioner of Police R.Sekar, veteran singer P.B.Sreenivos, Indian Overseas Bank General Manager Prakash and Life Insurance Corporation of India General Manager Damodaran were present on the occasion.
V-Excel founder Vasudha Prakash said V-Excel Educational Trust covered about 3,300 students in 10 blocks of Villupuram districts under the Sarva Siksha Abhiyan Project and around 300 students in Chennai.

Rajinikanth meets his fans on 15 Oct

Painting competition in running train

Puducherry (PTI): In a unique painting competition held in a running train, around 730 school children and senior citizens exhibited their art skills.
The centenary of visit of Tamil revolutionary poet Subramania Bharathi to Puducherry during the British Raj and also some of the contents of the poet`s lyrics formed part of the themes for the competition, organised by the Pondicherry Art Society.
The train was run between Puducherry and Villupuram, a distance of about 40 km.
Society President Ibert said, the prizes would be distributed to the proficient artists next month.

Four policemen chosen for medal

CHENNAI: The government has announced ‘Gandhi Adigal Police Medal’ for four police personnel in the State for their work in curtailing illicit liquor in 2008.

S.Pe. Murukesun, Additional Superintendent of Police, Prohibition Enforcement Wing, Cuddalore district; D. Mahendravarnam, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Cheyyar Sub-Division, Tiruvannamalai district; B. Kumar, Sub-Inspector of Police, Villupuram Town; and R. Ravi, Sub-Inspector of Police, PEW, Madhuranthagam, Kancheepuram district, would be given the medal and a cash prize of Rs. 20,000 by Chief Minister on the Republic Day, next year. — Special Correspondent

PDS spices scheme launched in Villupuram, Cuddalore

CUDDALORE: Unmindful of the carping criticism from cynics Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi has been continuing with his good works by launching a series of welfare measures for the sake of the poor and the downtrodden, according to Health Minister M.R.K. Panneerselvam and Higher Education Minister K. Ponmudy.

They were speaking at different functions held in Cuddalore and Villupuram to inaugurate the supply of spices and condiments at concessional prices through fair price shops.

Mr. Panneerselvam inaugurated the scheme at Kurinjipadi near here on Friday, said, the new package would cost about Rs.80 in the open market, but by getting it for Rs.50, the poor could save about Rs.30. The daily-wage earners would be greatly benefited by the rice for Re.1-a-kg scheme, he said. Though this scheme would entail huge losses to the government, it would not mind bearing the cost for the sake of the economically weaker sections, Mr. Panneerselvam said.

The free colour television scheme, distribution of house site pattas, old age pension and financial assistance to pregnant women were some of the schemes meant for the uplift of the poor.

Inaugurating the scheme at Vikkiravandi in Villupuram district, Mr. Ponmudy said that when the Rs.2-a-kg rice scheme was launched, the Opposition parties raised doubts over its feasibility.

But, rice was at present being supplied at Re.1 a kg and the Opposition could not comment about it. Mr. Ponmudy said that banning smoking in public places was a welcome move.

But certain parties were harping on closure of the TASMAC outlets through launching agitation by women. He said prohibition could not be introduced in isolation or only in certain States; only when there was a Central law on prohibition it could be implemented in full measure.

Cuddalore Collector Rajendra Ratnoo said it was the Tamil Nadu government that had lined up a series of schemes for covering the entire span of man’s life – from pregnancy to death.

At Vikkiravandi, Villupuram Collector R. Palanisamy, and MLAs S. Pushparaj, T. Thirunavukkarasu, V. Kannan and T. Udayasuryan participated.

PDS spices scheme launched in Villupuram, Cuddalore

CUDDALORE: Unmindful of the carping criticism from cynics Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi has been continuing with his good works by launching a series of welfare measures for the sake of the poor and the downtrodden, according to Health Minister M.R.K. Panneerselvam and Higher Education Minister K. Ponmudy.

They were speaking at different functions held in Cuddalore and Villupuram to inaugurate the supply of spices and condiments at concessional prices through fair price shops.

Mr. Panneerselvam inaugurated the scheme at Kurinjipadi near here on Friday, said, the new package would cost about Rs.80 in the open market, but by getting it for Rs.50, the poor could save about Rs.30. The daily-wage earners would be greatly benefited by the rice for Re.1-a-kg scheme, he said. Though this scheme would entail huge losses to the government, it would not mind bearing the cost for the sake of the economically weaker sections, Mr. Panneerselvam said.

The free colour television scheme, distribution of house site pattas, old age pension and financial assistance to pregnant women were some of the schemes meant for the uplift of the poor.

Inaugurating the scheme at Vikkiravandi in Villupuram district, Mr. Ponmudy said that when the Rs.2-a-kg rice scheme was launched, the Opposition parties raised doubts over its feasibility.

But, rice was at present being supplied at Re.1 a kg and the Opposition could not comment about it. Mr. Ponmudy said that banning smoking in public places was a welcome move.

But certain parties were harping on closure of the TASMAC outlets through launching agitation by women. He said prohibition could not be introduced in isolation or only in certain States; only when there was a Central law on prohibition it could be implemented in full measure.

Cuddalore Collector Rajendra Ratnoo said it was the Tamil Nadu government that had lined up a series of schemes for covering the entire span of man’s life – from pregnancy to death.

At Vikkiravandi, Villupuram Collector R. Palanisamy, and MLAs S. Pushparaj, T. Thirunavukkarasu, V. Kannan and T. Udayasuryan participated.

Documentary on transgenders enters London festival

Chennai (PTI): Aimed at breaking the stereotypical depiction of the third gender in Indian cinema, a film by a city-based journalist has made it to the three-day London Transgender Film Festival in November.
The idea first came when Kanathur was on a reporting assignment to the Koothandavar festival, an annual congregation of transgenders from across the country at Koovagam, near Villupuram in Tamil Nadu.
"I worked on the script since then and the idea was to break the stereotypical portrayal of transgenders in Indian films, as objects of humour," said Prashanth Kanathur, a journalist working with Malayalam daily Mathrubhoomi, told PTI here.
The film "Nashtavarnnangal," (Missing Colours) traces the life of Karthi, a transgender, right from infancy to that of old age and death. It also depicts the protagonist's passion for painting.
"The 25-minute film also aims to show the world the talents of such persons but also their solitary confinement due to the social stigma attached with their gender," Kanathur said. 'Nashtavarnnangal' is narrated through the eyes of a research student and his journey in search of Karthi unfolds the story.
The film, produced by businessman-turned-producer N Muralidharan of Trimline Creations, has already bagged the award for best film at the Development Film Festival organised by the Madurai-based Dhan Foundation.
The film will help bring an awareness to the Western audience on the plight of transgenders in India, London Transgender Film Festival Director Col Cruise has communicated to Kanathur.

Day 1: Smokers warned, not fined

CHENNAI: The man behind the country-wide smoking ban, union health minister Anbumani Ramadoss, was himself present in the city on Thursday , and the
first day of the ban began with massive awareness campaigns. No one in the city was fined. However, many people, including police constables, bus drivers and several others, were warned by the squads sent out by the health department and other sections. Union minister Ramadoss, who began distributing pamphlets at the City Mofussil Bus Terminal (CMBT) in Koyambedu , told several bus drivers , conductors and passersby that people would have to stub it out in public from Thursday. "Many women and youngsters have welcomed this. They congratulated me for launching the battle against the tobacco lobby," he told reporters as he was distributing the awareness kits. He also once again read out the list of 'public places' as defined by the Prohibition of Smoking in Public Places Rules, 2008 to the people gathered around. He answered a volley of questions from several members of the public. Smoking, he said, had been banned in all government or private buildings and public places like libraries, cafes, restaurants, schools, pubs or discos, stadiums, airports, hospitals, bus stands, railway stations, police stations, courts, auditoriums or cinemas . Smokers can light up by the roadside or in their homes, he said. They can also indulge in the habit in open public spaces such as parks or the beach. "I am passionate about implementing this act. I hope the people will volunteer to help us implement this Act and give non-smokers their right to a nicotine-free environment ," he said. Though the designated officers , including those from the police and health departm e n t s, and other officials went around the city, they restricted themselves to just warning people against smoking in public places. "We did not fine them today. We will start fining from Monday. Our purpose is to create awareness now. But in general the public response was good," said the city's chief health officer, B Kuganandam. Commissioner of police R Sekar said most smokers were asked to either stub out the cigarettes or go to the roadsides. In the districts, however, the authorities have begun imposing the fine. More than 150 people were asked to cough up Rs 200 for violating the ban in hospitals, bus stops and cinemas at several places. While at least 85 persons were caught in the act in Villupuram, the other districts together reported more than 500 cases. "Some of them were constables smoking in police stations and others included hospital staff or attenders of patients, " said state anti-tobacco cell co-ordinator Selvavinayagam . Health secretary V K Subburaj said the state government had decided to implement the ban in toto. "We have not started fining people today. But we would not spare them if they violate the rules," he said.

Gram sabhas focus on job scheme and water sources

VILLUPURAM: Gram sabha meetings were held in Villupuram and Cuddalore districts to commemorate Gandhi Jayanthi on Thursday.

While Villupuram District Collector R. Palanisamy attended as an observer in the nannadu gram sabha meeting at Koliyanur, Cuddalore District Revenue Officer S. Natarajan attended one such a meeting at Sithamalli in Kattumannarkoil block.

The meetings laid stress on the proper implementation of the National Rural Employment Guarantee (NREG) Scheme because it not only provided 100-day jobs in a year to the villagers but also helped in creation of assets.

They discussed in detail the works such as digging of new tanks, lakes and canals, or deepening or desilting the water sources for the financial year 2009-10. The Sabhas also dwelt at length on the implementation of the Anaithu Grama Anna Marumalarchi Thittam for which every panchayat had been allotted a sum of Rs.20 lakhs. The panchayats had been directed to spend up to Rs.10,000 for the upkeep of the playgrounds.

Higher incentives

The activities of the panchayats, such as provision of drinking water, collection of power tariff, administrative expenses and so on were reviewed. The Sabhas laid emphasis on making the total sanitation concept a success in all vi*llages.

To facilitate this, the Centre had raised the incentive for construction of individual toilets from Rs.1,200 to Rs.2,500. The Sabahs also took up matters relating to basic amenities or lack of them, and promised to take remedial measures.

The Sabahs also agreed to remain in a state of preparedness to tackle both natural and man-made disasters. At Cuddalore the Sabahs also took up the “Administration at the people’s doorstep” scheme.

The occasion was marked by inauguration of khadi sales in both the districts. A discount of 30 per cent would be given on all purchases of silk and other khadi articles.

Mr. Natarajan, DRO, while speaking on the occasion at the khadi showroom in Cuddalore, said, when terrorism and violence were marring the peace of various parts of the country, the Gandhian principle of ahimsa (non-violence) acquired great significance now.