Science Centre will be set up in Villupuram soon: Higher Education Minister Ponmudy

Villupuram, 19th Sept: A Science Centre will be set up in Villupuram in the coming year to promote scientific thinking and studies among the students, according to K. Ponmudy, Higher Education Minister. The Minister has underscored the point that by enriching scientific knowledge among the youngsters, the country can be led on the path of growth and prosperity.

He was speaking at a function organised by the Tamil Nadu Science and Technology Centre in Siga Higher Secondary School at Kappiayampuliyur near here to give away awards to 574 students that carried a cash prize of Rs. 5,000 and a citation.

The Minister noted that though the number of educated people was on the rise and there was no corresponding increase in the number of candidates taking up research works. He pointed out that close observation of fall of apple from a tree led to the invention of the Theory of Gravity.

Hence, there was a need for promoting scientific thinking among the students to get better perspective about the environment and to improve the living conditions. The activity based learning, introduced at the initiative of the Tamil Nadu government, was intended to achieve this goal.

Besides making the students as fully accomplished citizens, the syllabus should also be so framed to bring out their potential. The Minister said that Villupuram occupied second place in the State in terms of bagging the awards of the Science and Technology Centre.

He called upon the students to read with understanding and hoped that introduction of Tamil medium would result in better grasp of the subjects. Citing the instance of China, the Minister said that since the Chinese were mastering the subjects in their mother-tongue they had come to occupy a prime place in the comity of nation.

Having realised the importance of learning in mother-tongue, Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi had introduced Tamil medium as far back as in 1972 and now he had caused the introduction of engineering courses in Tamil medium.

Besides such a move, Mr. Karunanidhi had also announced priority in jobs for those who had studied in Tamil medium and also offered to pay the tuition fees of the first generation graduates. The students should utilise the opportunity to excel in their studies, Mr. Ponmudy added.

District Collector R. Palanisamy, Executive Director of the Centre P. Iyamperumal, Chief Educational Officer P. Kuppusamy, Siga School Headmaster V.M.S. Sridharan and others participated.

Govt medical college hospital at Mundiampakkam: Ponmudy issued aJob orders

Villupuram, 19th Sept: Higher Education Minister K. Ponmudy inaugurated the lift facility provided in the government medical college hospital at Mundiampakkam near here for the benefit of the patients on Sunday.

On the occasion, the Minister also issued job orders to 52 persons, appointed in various capacities to serve in the hospital, and 13 persons in the Revenue Department on compassionate grounds. The newly appointed hospital employees included 17 sanitary workers, 10 washermen, five cooks, one mortuary assistant and one ambulance assistant.

Mr. Ponmudy called upon the appointees to serve the patients with smiling face and humaneness as if they were treating their family members. He called upon them to create a situation in which the patients admitted to the hospital would be well taken care of, thereby, doing away with the necessity of referring them to other hospitals.

Now a reversal of trend was taking place in which cases from Puducherry were referred to the Villupuram government medical college hospital. The Minister recalled that the medical college and hospital were started after surmounting many difficulties, including legal tangle.

The Minister said the incumbent Karunanidhi government had lifted the ban on new recruitment and appointments on compassionate grounds and created lakh of jobs. Those appointed included eight Village Administrative Officers, four village assistants and one assistant to the Sub-Registrar's office.

Soon an announcement would be made about the future usage of the old government hospital buildings (since all the facilities have been shifted to the new hospital premises at Mundiampakkam), the Minister added. District Collector R. Palanisamy, Hospital Superintendent K.Thiagarajan, S.Pushparaj, MLA, and R.Janakaraj, Villupuram Municipal Chairman, participated.

Town Planning Office opened at Villupuram

VILLUPURAM: Higher Education Minister K. Ponmudy inaugurated the Town Planning Office on the premises of TAHDCO here on Monday.

The Minister said that earlier the Regional Town Planning Office functioning from Chengalpet was having jurisdiction over Kancheepuram, Villupuram and Cuddalore districts.

The new entity carved out of the Chenglpet office and located at Villupuram would have jurisdiction over Villupuram and Cuddalore districts. Real estate promoters, builders of multi-storeyed buildings and commercial complexes would have to get permission from the office for construction of structures on 4,000 to 12,000 sq.m.

For construction on lesser space, permission ought to be obtained from the local bodies and for structures built over 12,000 sq.m., permission should be obtained from the Directorate of Town Planning.

Mr. Ponmudy said that all applications received by the Villupuram office would be processed within 30 days.

Besides approving the plans, the office would also contribute to development works. Under the Heritage Town Project, it would give a grant of up to Rs. 50 lakh for construction of lodges, parking lots and public lavatories.

Mr. Ponmudy said that such a fund would be utilised in the development of tourist places at Ginjee, Marakkanam, Parikkal, Thirukkoilur in Villupuram district, and, at Chidambaram, Marudur and Kurinjipadi, Pichavaram, Sri Mushnam and Thiruvahindrapuram in Cuddalore district.

Under the Transport Management Project, the Town Planning office would also provide a grant of up to 75 per cent, subject to the maxium of Rs. 25 lakh. The funds would be availed for improving road network at Villupuram, Tindivanam, Cuddalore, Panruti, Chidambaram and Vriddhachalam, Mr Ponmudy said.

The Minister pointed out that though the Town Planning office would extend financial assistance to the tune of 50 per cent under the Park Development Project, not many local bodies could spare the funds required.

Hence, this year it was proposed to completely fund the park project from the resources of the Town Planning office, Mr. Ponmudy said.

Collector R. Palanisamy, Assistant Director of Town Planning Office D. Mani, Project Officer (Mahalir Thittam) Seenipair, and Public Relations Officer M. Palanisamy were present.

Adopt teaching techniques in tune with times: Ponmudy

VILLUPURAM: In the computer era it has become imperative for the teachers to modify their teaching technique suitably. The teachers are revered by society because they mould the students into future citizens, said K.Ponmudy, Higher Education Minister.

He was speaking at the Teachers' Day function held here on Tuesday. Mr. Ponmudy felicitated 11 teachers who bagged the Radhakrishnan Award, 100 retired headmasters and headmistresses, 54 meritorious students and 1,563 teachers who helped in achieving cent per cent results in the public examinations.

In conformity with the changes that were taking place in the sphere of education the teachers should develop their skills.


For encouraging the school and college teachers to put in their best the government had instituted awards. The awards were intended to encourage the teaching community to strive for the best in their career.


Having realised the importance of teacher training, Chief Minister M.Karunanidhi had created a separate university for the purpose. On his direction in Villupuram district 49 middle schools were upgraded as high schools and 47 high schools as higher secondary schools. The financial aid to the first generation graduates would benefit 70,000 students, including those joining the professional courses such as engineering and medicine in the State, he said.

Those who participated included District Collector R.Palanisamy, Chief Educational Officer P.Kuppusamy, T.Udayasuryan, S.Pushparaj and A.Angayarkanni, MLAs.

American students' delegation visits Villupuram college, highlighting rituals, festivals

Villupuram, 7th September: A batch of 11 students—five boys and six girls—from Davidson College, North Carolina, U.S, led by William Mahony, visited Theivanai Ammal College for Women here recently.

In the words of Mr Mahony, the delegation had come here as part of the student exchange programme to mainly focus on three issues: Indian history, contemporary issues relating to women and health conditions.

Addressing the students and faculty, Mr Mahony said that ignorance was the primary cause for the ills afflicting society, including terrorism. If ignorance were dispelled through education it would lead to harmonious living and prosperity.

He further noted that both Theivanai Ammal College and the Davidson College shared the laudable principle of serving society. Mr Mahony hailed Theivanai Ammal College founder and Chairman E. Swamikannu for his vision in setting up the institution in a rural area with a view to promote literacy among women.

Mr Swamikannu said that from his boyhood days he was impressed by the functioning of the US government. The student exchange programme between the two colleges was in tune with the saying of Tamil poet Kaniyan Poongonranar that “all places are ours and all are relatives,” that reflected the universal nature of human relationship.

College secretary S. Senthilkumar said that the college was in its 21st year and had grown impressively during this period.. He highlighted the unique features of India that might interest the delegates.

Principal Kasthuribai Dhanasekaran gave an overview on the performance of the college that had acquired autonomous status. During the interaction, the students exchanged their views on a wide range of topics, including admission procedures, scholarships offered, job prospects and course contents.

To a query about their visit, the visiting students said that they were quite impressed by the way the immigrant Indians were living in the USA. Hence, they had come to see the place which they called their “home.” Some of them had read about India and they wanted to experience the country in person.

They expressed delight over the warm reception accorded to them. Later, the guests were treated to the cultural programmes highlighting the marriage rituals of various communities and festivals.

Water projects get priority: Ponmudy

VILLUPURAM: The State government has taken steps on a war-footing to solve problems relating to water supply in deficit areas in Villupuram district, according to K.Ponmudy, Higher Education Minister.

Addressing an official meeting here recently, he said that these measures had been initiated to set right hiccups in water supply at Ginjee, Thiagadurgam, Vikkiravandi, Manalurpettai, Kalavarayan Hills and Pazhamalai.

The works on the Villupuram and Ginjee water supply schemes would be completed soon.

The Nergunam panchayat water project would be expedited and the Sankarapuram coordinated water supply project, which was delayed owing to electricity line transfer, would be completed before long.

The assistant director of town panchayats, the panchayat president and the executive officer had been instructed to expedite the Manimuthar water project at Thiagadurgam.

Efforts had been made to start the water project at Panjamadevi, and the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board officials had been directed to ensure uninterrupted power supply for the drinking water project at Tindivanam.

Mr. Ponmudy said that groundwater tapped using borewells was being supplied at Sathanur and Athur.

As per the wishes of people, overhead tanks would soon be built for supplying water.

The local body at Vikkiravandi had been asked to earmark funds to ensure smooth supply of water, he said.

The Minister called upon officials to repair the roads before the onset of north-east monsoon.

Collector R. Palanisamy, District Revenue Officer N. Venkatachalam, Project Officer (DRDA) V.Mahendran, and MLAs T.Udayasuryan,V.Kannan, S.Pushparaj, A.Angayarkanni and Thiruvanavukkarasu were present

Valadi-Ariyalur railway track doubling work to begin soon

MADURAI: Work to lay the second railway track between Valadi and Ariyalur, as part of the Villupuram-Tiruchi-Dindigul doubling project, would begin soon, the Madurai Divisional Railway Manager (additional charge), P.V. Vaidialingam, said.

Talking to reporters here on Monday, he said that this small stretch was a critical one on the Chennai-Madurai sector. Stating that three cement factories were on this stretch, he said that an additional track would ease traffic, especially in movement of goods trains.

Work on the 49-km-stretch would be taken up at a cost of Rs. 60 crore. However, he said that the real improvement on rail traffic could be seen only when the doubling work was completed on the Villupuram-Tiruchi-Dindigul section. The project had been sanctioned at a cost of Rs. 1,200 crore and the work awarded to Rail Vikas Nigam Limited.

Since the Chennai-Madurai sector was over-utilised, it was difficult for the railways to introduce even one more additional train. The second line would significantly increase the track capacity. Doubling work between Madurai and Dindigul had been completed.

On electrification, Mr. Vaidialingam said that the work between Tiruchi and Madurai was expected to be completed by March 31. It would facilitate increasing the speed of trains and also the haulage capacity of goods trains. The Additional Divisional Railway Manager, T. Venkatasubramanian, was present.

Father of Library' C.R. Ranganathan: Procure books to help IAS, IPS aspirants

Villupuram, 19th Aug: Collector R. Palanisamy has called upon district library officials to procure books needed to help candidates prepare for Indian Administrative Service and Indian Police Service.

He was speaking at a function organised here on Monday to observe the birth anniversary of ‘Father of Library' C.R. Ranganathan and Library Day. Mr. Palanisamy said that while the district central library was equipped with such books, the taluks libraries were not.

He promised assistance to the libraries to procure such books for helping candidates prepare for civil services examinations. The employment office and the panchayat offices had set apart a separate section for keeping books for competitive examinations. He noted that library was not a facility for stacking books but a vibrant place that enriched knowledge.

Permanent houses for Tamil refugees planned

VILLUPURAM: The State government has proposed to construct permanent houses for Sri Lankan Tamil refugees staying in camps across Tamil Nadu, according to M. Muthiah Kalaivanan, Commissioner (Rehabilitation), Chennai.

He was addressing a review meeting with officials in charge of the refugee camps in the districts of Villupuram, Cuddalore and Tiruvannamalai. There are three camps in Villupuram district — two at Keezhpuththupatti in Marakkanam block and one at Chinna Salem in Kallakurichi block.

Mr. Kalaivanan said that officials should immediately attend to the needs of the refugees such as repairing tenements and providing basic amenities in the camps.

The district administrations should find suitable sites for construction of permanent houses and if the refugees insisted upon staying at the same places, alternative sites for setting up temporary shelters (till the constructions get over) should be identified with their concurrence.

After finalising the sites, the officials should send in their proposals to the government, which would provide guidelines on the nature of the structure and fund allocation.

He also said that the government had earmarked funds for the current year for giving away utensils worth Rs. 250 to every refugee family in the camps. Dress allowance had already been sent to the districts and the officials should arrange for speedy disbursement.

Mr. Kalaivanan said that the officials should immediately release Rs. 2,500 towards funeral expenses of the refugee families.

He called upon the officials to give away monetary assistance to the refugees before 10th of every month.

They should issue identity cards and ration cards to all the camp residents.

Tamil Nadu blast an extremist act: Chidambaram

Union Home Minister P Chidambaram on Sunday termed the attempt by unknown elements to derail a passenger train in Tamil Nadu as an extremist act and hoped police would catch the culprits.

Speaking to reporters after meeting Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi here on Sunday, Chidambaram said: "Along with the police, the intelligence agencies are also working to nab the culprits."

Passengers of the Rockfort Express and the Salem Express had a narrow escape when a blast, blamed on critics of Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa, destroyed three feet of rail track in Villupuram district early on Saturday.

Chidambaram met Karunanidhi to apprise him about Rajapaksa's India visit and the agreements signed with the island nation.

He said the Indian government has agreed to provide the Sri Lankan government Rs.1,000 crore (over $200 million) to build 50,000 houses to resettle the internally displaced Tamils there.

Queried about the state welcome given to Sri Lankan Minister Douglas Devananda, declared a proclaimed offender under the Indian law, Chidambaram said the union government has no official information about the cases pending against Devananda and he came to know about the cases only from the media.

TN Polytechnic colleges admission date extended 10th to 14th June

Villupuram, 8th June: The last date for seeking admission to eight new government polytechnic colleges across the State has been extended from June 10 to 14th. According to Collector R. Palanisamy's statement.

In a statement released here on Monday, he quoted the Director of Technical Education as having announced the extension for the candidates seeking admission to the colleges at Villupuram, Melur, Theni, Tiruvannamalai, Tiruvarur, Dharmapuri, Karur and Perambalur that were to start the courses from the current academic year.

Aspiring candidates who passed the SSLC examinations could download the application from the website and forward the filled-in forms along with a demand draft to the Directorate of Technical Education, Chennai, by June 14.

Jamabandhi session begins in Villupuram

VILLUPURAM: The Jamabandhi session started simultaneously in eight taluks of the district on Monday.

Accounts of 1,490 villages will be scrutinised and action taken on petitions of the residents during the session that will go on till June 24, according to Collector R. Palanisamy.

After inaugurating the sitting at Thirukkoilur near here, the Collector told reporters that the petitions received would be registered in the respective taluks.

In certain cases, action would be taken on the same day. In others, measures would be initiated before the last day of the session.

The taluks that are covered under the programme include Villupuram, Vanur, Tindivanam, Thirukkoilur, Ginjee, Ulundurpet, Kallakurichi and Sankarapuram.

SemMozhi Tamil Anthem - by AR.Rahman

SSLC pass percentage 73.86 at Villupuram

VILLUPURAM: Girl students have outperformed boys in SSLC held in March/April in Villupuram district. First rank is shared by R. Gayathri of Thirukkoilur Govt.Girls'HSS ( 491/500) and P. Lavanya of A.K.T.Memorial Mat.HSS at Kallakurichi (491).

The second rank is shared by M. Porselvi and M. Sakthi Oli of Thirukkoilur Govt.Girls' HSS, and A. Mahalakshmi of S.S.V.HSS at Senthamangalam (489 each).

The third rank is shared by S. Thenmozhi of St. Philomena HSS at Tindivanam, S. Anitha of AKT Mem.Mat.HSS at Kallakurichi, and S.Navaneetham of Mount Park HSS at Thiagadurgam (488 each).Collector in charge N.Venkatachalamtold The Hindu that of 40,789 students who appeared for the examinations, 30,126 were successful, thus, taking the pass percentage to 73.86.The toppers in the matriculation stream are: V. Muthukumaran(487), R. Manopriya (486) and R. Nivethitha (483), all from A.K.T.Mem.Mat.HSS, Kallakurichi. Of 2,739 candidates who took the matriculation examinations, 2,529 passed, thereby achieving a pass percentage of 92.33. Of 52 schools that scored cent per cent results, nine were government schools .