Private banks say they’ll wait and watch.
After a week of discussions, government-owned banks today lowered interest rates on new home loans up to Rs 20 lakh.
The rate cuts, part of a government-driven initiative to provide a fillip to the struggling real estate sector, caps the interest rate on new home loans up to Rs 5 lakh at 8.5 per cent, and on loans between Rs 5 lakh and Rs 20 lakh at 9.25 per cent.
The new rates, which apply only to new borrowers, will help reduce equated monthly installments (EMIs) by Rs 185 to Rs 233 per lakh for loans of 20-year tenures.
BUILDING ON RATE CUTS
EMI (Rs per lakh) Old * New Savings
Up to Rs 5 lakh 1,101.09 867.82 233.37
Rs 5 to 20 lakh 1,101.09 915.87 185.22
* Calculations based on 12% fixed rate from State Bank of India
Banks also said they are reducing the interest rate on loans to micro enterprises 50 basis points and small and medium enterprises 100 basis points. To help these units tide over the liquidity crunch, extra credit in the form of a 20 per cent additional working capital limits will also be provided.
Private sector banks and large housing finance companies like HDFC are, however, yet to take a call on how they will respond.
Keki Mistry, managing director of HDFC, the largest player in the home loan segment, said Indian consumers do not transfer their home loans so frequently. “The interest rate for the new loans has virtually been at the same level for the last couple of months, but we have not seen any such trend,” he added.
On the possibility of a decline in the interest rate, Mistry said, “It is a function of availability of funds in the system and inflation. Since the inflation rate is coming down there is a possibility of an overall softening of interest rates.”
An Axis Bank source said the private sector lender will decide over the next two to four weeks.
"We are clearly seeing some softening of rates. Our cost of deposits, which was going up earlier, has plateaued now. Although it is difficult to predict how much we’ll cut, we may cut both lending and deposit rates across the board in the next two to four weeks," the bank executive said.
ICICI Bank said it is evaluating all options. The bank recently lowered the interest rate on new home loans up to Rs 20 lakh to 11.5 per cent.
For a home buyer who borrows from State Bank of India, which is at present offering a 20-year housing loan of up to Rs 30 lakh at 12 per cent, the saving on a loan of Rs 5 lakh will be around Rs 1,000 a month. For a loan of Rs 20 lakh, the borrower will pay more than Rs 3,500 less every month.
Elaborating on the special home loan package, SBI Chairman OP Bhatt said the scheme will be open till June 30, 2009. The loans will be offered at a fixed rate for five years after which the borrower can switch to the floating rate option without paying any charge.
Banks will also not charge any processing or pre-payment fee on home loans under the package and will bear the insurance cost on such loans.
However, existing borrowers from private sector banks will not be able to transfer their loans to public sector banks.
State-owned banks expect to disburse additional loans up to Rs 20,000 crore under the new package and by adding margin money that home owners have to pay, the amount sanctioned could touch the Rs 30,000 crore mark. SBI, a largest lender, expects to sanction loans worth Rs 6,000 crore under this package.
Over 80 per cent of home loans disbursed by public sector banks are below the Rs 20 lakh slab. According to Indian Banks' Association (IBA) data, the total housing loan portfolio of the 28 state-run banks stood at Rs 1,86,137 crore at end of September 2008.
Rates on home loans under the stimulus package could fall more if interest rates in general fall further, said IBA Chairman and head of Bank of India T S Narayanasami said.
Asked if this package was enough to boost demand, Narayanasami said banks have done their bit, and builders and real estate companies have to reduce housing prices to encourage people to buy new homes.
Besides reducing the lending rate for micro enterprises and SMEs, state-owned will set up cells to redress grievances regarding these loans, Bhatt said banks will give soft loans to these units and an ad-hoc credit of additional 20 per cent of their outstanding fund based limits to meet their working capital needs.
Currently, state-owned banks' loans to such sectors are growing at 25 to 28 per cent, Small Industries Development Bank of India's Chairman and Managing Director R M Malla said. Outstanding loans to micro, small, and medium enterprises are estimated at Rs 2,60,000 crore.
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Monday, December 15, 2008
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan dead
Renowned violinist Kunnakudi Vaidyanathan, whose majestic bowing widened the circle of rasikas for Carnatic music, passed away here on Monday after a brief illness. He was 73.
He is survived by wife V. Bagirathi, sons V.R. Shekar, V. Srinivasan, V. Sridhar, V. Balasubramanian and daughter Bhanumathi Ramakrishnan.
Born on March 2, 1935, he trained under his father Ramaswamy Sastry. As a youngster, he accompanied stalwarts, including Ariyakudi Ramanuja Iyengar, Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer, Maharajapuram Santhanam and Chittoor Subramanya Pillai. He also performed with legendary nagaswara vidwans such as T.N. Rajarathinam Pillai and Thiruvenkadu Subramania Pillai.
He made a mark in classical music as well as film music, and made conscious attempts to make music more accessible to the common man.
His foray into the film industry began with A.P. Nagarajan giving him a break in ‘Vaa Raja Vaa.’ From then, he gave several magical numbers and super hits that are among the eternal melodies in Tamil films.
In the film ‘Deivam,’ he had all his playback singers including Madurai Somu appear on screen.
His composition ‘Marudamalai mamaniyae murugaiyya...’ in Darbari Kanada made waves in the industry like not many songs have. Several other films such as ‘Agathiyar’ and ‘Raja Raja Chozhan,’ for which he scored music, were also phenomenal hits.
His interest in new attempts and innovations led him to work with veteran thavil vidwan Valayapatti Subramanian. They performed over 3,000 shows together which were also very successful. He also made a significant contribution to Tamil devotional music.
An able administrator, Mr. Vaidyanathan served as Secretary of the Tamil Nadu Iyal Isai Nadaga Mandram and also conducted the Thiruvaiyaru Thyagaraja Utsavam for several years.
Known for his dexterity and subtlety in handling the violin, he catered not only to the music scholar but also to the layman. His play reflected his own different moods and the demands of his audience with whom he established and enjoyed a good rapport.
He stopped accompanying vocal artistes in 1976 to concentrate more on solo concerts and was famous for his experiments on violin, which he referred to as fingering techniques.
Vaidyanathan, who had a long association with All India Radio, won several prestigious awards including the Padma Shri, Sangeeth Natak Academy award, Sangeetha Mamani and the Carnataka Isaignani award.
He also served as president of the Raga Research Centre.
Union Minister of State for Statistics and Programme Implementation G.K. Vasan expressed his deep shock and conveyed his condolences to the bereaved family.
He is survived by wife V. Bagirathi, sons V.R. Shekar, V. Srinivasan, V. Sridhar, V. Balasubramanian and daughter Bhanumathi Ramakrishnan.
Born on March 2, 1935, he trained under his father Ramaswamy Sastry. As a youngster, he accompanied stalwarts, including Ariyakudi Ramanuja Iyengar, Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer, Maharajapuram Santhanam and Chittoor Subramanya Pillai. He also performed with legendary nagaswara vidwans such as T.N. Rajarathinam Pillai and Thiruvenkadu Subramania Pillai.
He made a mark in classical music as well as film music, and made conscious attempts to make music more accessible to the common man.
His foray into the film industry began with A.P. Nagarajan giving him a break in ‘Vaa Raja Vaa.’ From then, he gave several magical numbers and super hits that are among the eternal melodies in Tamil films.
In the film ‘Deivam,’ he had all his playback singers including Madurai Somu appear on screen.
His composition ‘Marudamalai mamaniyae murugaiyya...’ in Darbari Kanada made waves in the industry like not many songs have. Several other films such as ‘Agathiyar’ and ‘Raja Raja Chozhan,’ for which he scored music, were also phenomenal hits.
His interest in new attempts and innovations led him to work with veteran thavil vidwan Valayapatti Subramanian. They performed over 3,000 shows together which were also very successful. He also made a significant contribution to Tamil devotional music.
An able administrator, Mr. Vaidyanathan served as Secretary of the Tamil Nadu Iyal Isai Nadaga Mandram and also conducted the Thiruvaiyaru Thyagaraja Utsavam for several years.
Known for his dexterity and subtlety in handling the violin, he catered not only to the music scholar but also to the layman. His play reflected his own different moods and the demands of his audience with whom he established and enjoyed a good rapport.
He stopped accompanying vocal artistes in 1976 to concentrate more on solo concerts and was famous for his experiments on violin, which he referred to as fingering techniques.
Vaidyanathan, who had a long association with All India Radio, won several prestigious awards including the Padma Shri, Sangeeth Natak Academy award, Sangeetha Mamani and the Carnataka Isaignani award.
He also served as president of the Raga Research Centre.
Union Minister of State for Statistics and Programme Implementation G.K. Vasan expressed his deep shock and conveyed his condolences to the bereaved family.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Several shop floors gutted on Ranganathan Street
A fire that broke out in a multi-storeyed shop, Saravana Stores, on Ranganathan Street on Monday morning spread to the abutting utensils shop, damaging several floors in the two buildings.
Officials said two employees of the shop, Kottaisamy and Ramajeyam, were reported missing and efforts were on to locate them. Police and fire service personnel rescued 13 staff members from the shop. Fire service personnel said until the debris on the sixth floor of the utensil shop cooled, they would not be able to confirm whether there was any casualty.
Shop assistants were sleeping on the upper floor of the shops. More than 100 people spent the night in the building. The fire was contained around noon.
City Police Commissioner R. Sekar said they received a call at 6.10 a.m. and special teams were formed to cordon off the area and assist fire service personnel in extinguishing the flames. “With minimum traffic diversions, we ensured that the fire did not spread to adjacent buildings,” he said. “The cause of fire apparently seems to be a short circuit,” Mr. Sekar said.
Eyewitnesses said the fire was noticed around 5.45 a.m. on the second and third floor of Lucky Plaza that houses the godown of Saravana Stores.
It spread to the lower floors of the Plaza, a shopping mall with scores of small shops and to the nearby Saravana Stores building, housing the utensils shop. Within two hours, even as fire fighters were trying to put out the blaze, it spread to the adjacent jewellery shop.
Smoke billowed several metres above the buildings radiating heat. The smell of acrid smoke hung in the residential areas around Ranganathan Street, which remained congested with thousands of spectators mutely watching the flames in awe. Police used megaphones to regulate curious pedestrians thronging Usman Road.
Tension prevailed for an hour after the fire began, as people in Suganthi Mansion that shares a wall with Lucky Plaza were not aware of the commotion. A few men ventured into the building and police urged the groggy residents to vacate the premises.
Fire tenders and Metrowater lorries were parked on Ranganathan Street and Natesan Street and a sky lift was positioned on each street to fight the fire.
Three hours after the fire broke out, four explosions rocked the building causing fear that the building might collapse.
Fire officials attributed the explosions to bursting of refrigerators and air-conditioners in the godown.
When the fire fighters eventually entered the buildings they found four-foot high hot debris on the sixth floor of the utensil shop, said S. Veeramani, Divisional Fire Officer.
“We had warned the shopkeepers but they paid no attention. Even now they contend that it is the first time a major fire had broken out in the area,” he said.
“The building may require a stabilisation certificate from the Public Works Department officials before the owners can take up repair work.”
Officials said two employees of the shop, Kottaisamy and Ramajeyam, were reported missing and efforts were on to locate them. Police and fire service personnel rescued 13 staff members from the shop. Fire service personnel said until the debris on the sixth floor of the utensil shop cooled, they would not be able to confirm whether there was any casualty.
Shop assistants were sleeping on the upper floor of the shops. More than 100 people spent the night in the building. The fire was contained around noon.
City Police Commissioner R. Sekar said they received a call at 6.10 a.m. and special teams were formed to cordon off the area and assist fire service personnel in extinguishing the flames. “With minimum traffic diversions, we ensured that the fire did not spread to adjacent buildings,” he said. “The cause of fire apparently seems to be a short circuit,” Mr. Sekar said.
Eyewitnesses said the fire was noticed around 5.45 a.m. on the second and third floor of Lucky Plaza that houses the godown of Saravana Stores.
It spread to the lower floors of the Plaza, a shopping mall with scores of small shops and to the nearby Saravana Stores building, housing the utensils shop. Within two hours, even as fire fighters were trying to put out the blaze, it spread to the adjacent jewellery shop.
Smoke billowed several metres above the buildings radiating heat. The smell of acrid smoke hung in the residential areas around Ranganathan Street, which remained congested with thousands of spectators mutely watching the flames in awe. Police used megaphones to regulate curious pedestrians thronging Usman Road.
Tension prevailed for an hour after the fire began, as people in Suganthi Mansion that shares a wall with Lucky Plaza were not aware of the commotion. A few men ventured into the building and police urged the groggy residents to vacate the premises.
Fire tenders and Metrowater lorries were parked on Ranganathan Street and Natesan Street and a sky lift was positioned on each street to fight the fire.
Three hours after the fire broke out, four explosions rocked the building causing fear that the building might collapse.
Fire officials attributed the explosions to bursting of refrigerators and air-conditioners in the godown.
When the fire fighters eventually entered the buildings they found four-foot high hot debris on the sixth floor of the utensil shop, said S. Veeramani, Divisional Fire Officer.
“We had warned the shopkeepers but they paid no attention. Even now they contend that it is the first time a major fire had broken out in the area,” he said.
“The building may require a stabilisation certificate from the Public Works Department officials before the owners can take up repair work.”
Central-Egmore link: Railways presses for NOC
The Railway ministry has asked the Tamil Nadu government to reconsider its decision to deny ‘no objection certificate’ (NOC) to the project that would provide 2.5-km rail link between Chennai Central and Egmore railway stations in the city.
The link, on elevated structures, would save both passengers as well as the railways considerable amount of money, since South-bound trains from the North and vice-versa take a 11.2-km circuitous and congested route via Beach, Royapuram, Washermanpet and Basin Bridge stations to reach their destinations, said Union Minister of State for Railways R. Velu.
He told The Hindu that on his instructions the railway authorities in Chennai had once again written to Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary seeking NOC. “I am planning to pursue this project vigorously.”
He said the main contention of the government was that the elevated rail structure would obstruct the implementation of the proposed metro rail project and the Chennai Port-Maduravoyal elevated highway, which would pass through Central station. The railways have pointed out that the metro rail track is going to be laid underground; and to cross the expressway, the rail line could be laid either beneath or above the expressway. “In a number of places in Delhi, railway lines, metro lines and flyovers criss-cross without any hurdle. I hope the State government will give its nod this time,” Mr. Velu said.
The link, on elevated structures, would save both passengers as well as the railways considerable amount of money, since South-bound trains from the North and vice-versa take a 11.2-km circuitous and congested route via Beach, Royapuram, Washermanpet and Basin Bridge stations to reach their destinations, said Union Minister of State for Railways R. Velu.
He told The Hindu that on his instructions the railway authorities in Chennai had once again written to Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary seeking NOC. “I am planning to pursue this project vigorously.”
He said the main contention of the government was that the elevated rail structure would obstruct the implementation of the proposed metro rail project and the Chennai Port-Maduravoyal elevated highway, which would pass through Central station. The railways have pointed out that the metro rail track is going to be laid underground; and to cross the expressway, the rail line could be laid either beneath or above the expressway. “In a number of places in Delhi, railway lines, metro lines and flyovers criss-cross without any hurdle. I hope the State government will give its nod this time,” Mr. Velu said.
Monday, September 1, 2008
Marathon turns Chennai, Sunday livelier
The city turned out in its sporty best for the GiveLife Chennai marathon on Sunday. The number of participants went well above the registered 50,000 as celebrities, students, senior citizens, corporate firm employees and representatives from voluntary organisations gathered for the run. At 8 a.m., bunches of white and green balloons went up in the air amid loud cheers of ‘We love Chennai’. The event was the biggest marathon in the city in terms of the huge response it drew. The 7-km run was flagged off by Union Minister for Sports M.S. Gill. Actor Surya charmed the swarming crowd: “Be safe. Take care of the person beside you. You are running for Chennai.” Actor Napolean and Member of Parliament Kanimozhi added their words of caution.
Participants carried placards or banners bearing messages such as ‘Paint the plant green’ and ‘Please avoid plastic bags’. The marathon began near the Island Grounds entrance on Anna Salai and ended at Gandhi Statue on the Marina. The 21.09-km half marathon for professional athletes and a 3-km run for those above 50 years were also organised.
Participants carried placards or banners bearing messages such as ‘Paint the plant green’ and ‘Please avoid plastic bags’. The marathon began near the Island Grounds entrance on Anna Salai and ended at Gandhi Statue on the Marina. The 21.09-km half marathon for professional athletes and a 3-km run for those above 50 years were also organised.
More Tamil medium students make it to engineering colleges through counselling
Over the last three years, the percentage of Tamil medium students making it to engineering colleges in the State through the government’s single window counselling system has almost doubled. Three years ago, the percentage of students from Tamil medium higher secondary schools opting for a BE degree through Tamil Nadu Engineering Admissions was just 23 per cent. This year, the figure shot up to 43 per cent of the more than 74,000 students who were allotted seats, according to Anna University Vice-Chancellor P. Mannar Jawahar. He agreed that one reason for the jump could be the abolition of the common entrance examination two years ago. The year before the test was removed, the share of Tamil medium students was 35 per cent; the very next year, it had risen to 41 per cent. Simultaneously, the share of rural students has also gone up to 64.5 per cent.
College life could be tough for students for whom the city setting and the language of instruction is new. Last year, several freshers who had been toppers in their Tamil medium schools found themselves failing in an English medium university. Being unable to understand concepts in an unfamiliar language, several students said they were forced to resort to memorisation. The university had started special bridge classes to help such students. Dr. Jawahar said the practice would continue in all the university department institutions, though they would not be identified as sessions specifically meant for Tamil medium students.
The university does not want to give students an inferiority complex by labelling them that way, said Dr. Jawahar. Students with language difficulties also get special coaching by English Department staff.
Apart from academic coaching, students are also introduced to activities and lectures that help build their confidence and put them at ease, he said. Career counselling and self-esteem sessions are part of the itinerary for first year students, through activities sponsored by the NSS, NSO and Alumni Club.
College life could be tough for students for whom the city setting and the language of instruction is new. Last year, several freshers who had been toppers in their Tamil medium schools found themselves failing in an English medium university. Being unable to understand concepts in an unfamiliar language, several students said they were forced to resort to memorisation. The university had started special bridge classes to help such students. Dr. Jawahar said the practice would continue in all the university department institutions, though they would not be identified as sessions specifically meant for Tamil medium students.
The university does not want to give students an inferiority complex by labelling them that way, said Dr. Jawahar. Students with language difficulties also get special coaching by English Department staff.
Apart from academic coaching, students are also introduced to activities and lectures that help build their confidence and put them at ease, he said. Career counselling and self-esteem sessions are part of the itinerary for first year students, through activities sponsored by the NSS, NSO and Alumni Club.
Friday, August 22, 2008
Chennai’s founding, 369 years ago today
This is the story of the beginning of Chennai, the founding of a city. On this day, August 22, in 1639, British Administrator Francis Day is reported to have received the grant for privileges in Medraspatam, as it was referred to then. It was officially ‘granted’ that day, and the rest, too, is history.
According to Vestiges of Old Madras by Henry Davison Love, the Naik’s grant, probably drafted by Day, was delivered with a letter signed by Day. Three copies are extant, but only one bears a date, 22nd July 1639, where July is probably a slip for August, since Day did not reach Madras until July 27, Love noted. The original document relating to the grant of the Fort St. George site to the British East India Company is said to have been signed at Chandragiri Fort in what is now in Andhra Pradesh.
The original text of the grant read thus:
‘The firman granted Mr. Day for privileges in Medrasspatam by the Nague Damela Vintutedra.
(O.C. No. 1690, 22nd July
{ ?Aug }, 1639 )
‘Firman granted by Damela Vintatedro Nague unto Mr. francis Day, Cheife for the English In Armagon, in behalfe of the Honble company for their tradeing and fortifieing at Medraspatam, to this effect as followeth:-
‘Whereas Mr. Francis Day, Captain of the English at Armagon, upon great hopes by reason of our promises offten made unto him, hath repaired to our port of Medraspatam and had personall Conference with us on behalfe of the Company of that Nation, Concerning their trading in our territories and friendly comerce with our subjects ; wee out of our spetiall Love and favour to the English, doe grant unto the said Captain, or whomsoever shall bee deputed to Idgitate the affaires of that company, by vertue of this firman , Power to direct and order the building of a fort and Castle in or about Medraspatam, as they shall thinke most Convenient , the Charges whereof, until fully and wholly finished to bee defrayed by us, but then to bee repaied when the said English shall first make their enterance to take possession thereof. And to make more full Expression of our effection to the English Nation, wee Doe Confirme unto the said Mr. Francis Day, or whatsoever other Substitutes or Agents for that Company, full power and authority to governe and dispose of the Government of Madraspatam for the terme and space of two yeares. Next Insueing affter they shall be seated there and possest of the said fortifications; and for the future by an Equall Division to receive halfe the Custom and revenuewes of that port.
‘Moreover, Whatsoever goods or Merchandize the English Company shall either Import or Export, forasmuch as Concernes the dutyes and Customes of Medraspatnam, they shall not only for the Prementioed two years in which they injoy the government , but for ever after, be Custom free. Yett if they shall Transport or bring any commodities up into, or through my Countray, then shall they pay halfe the dutyes that other Merchants pay, whether they buy or sell the said Commodities either in my Dominions or in those of any other Nague whatsoever.
‘Also that the said English Company shall perpetually Injoy the privileges of mintage(e) without paying any Dewes or dutyes whatsoever, more then the ordinary wages or hire unto those that shall Quoyne the moneyes.
‘Iff the English shall Accquaint us before they deliver out any moneys to the Merchants, Painters, Weavers &c, which are or shall hereafter reside in our prementioned port or territories, and take our word for their sufficcency and honest dealeing, then doe wee promise, in case those people faile in their performances, to make good to the English all such sumes of money as shall remaine on their Accounts, or Else deliver them their persons, if they sahllbe found in any part of my territories.
‘That whatsoever provisions the English shall buy in my Countrey, either for their fort or ships, they shall not be liable to pay any Custom or Dutyes for the same.
‘And if any shipp or vessell belonging to the English ( or to any other Countray whatsoever which tradeth or shall come to trade at that port) shall by misadventure suffer shipwrack and bee driven upon any part of my territories, they shall have restitution upon Demand of whatsoever can bee found remaining of the said wrack.
Dated the 22th July, 1639.’
Friday, August 1, 2008
Thursday, July 31, 2008
What it was to be in the first batch at IIT-M
Today, they are CEOs, professors, scientists and entrepreneurs, proud of being the first graduates of what is now a global brand name. On Thursday, IIT-M began its golden jubilee year. However, half a century ago, the 92 B.Tech students who made up the first batch at the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras were taking a chance on an unknown institution.
“I applied after seeing a small news item in The Hindu. My uncle recommended that I apply to this new institute rather than the more established CEG [College of Engineering], Guindy. My mother was so angry with him for sending me off to a jungle,” laughs S. Srinivasan.
The jungle was untouched in those days, with no buildings on campus ready for the first batch of students. “Back then, IIT existed in the minds of the planners and its physical presence was discerned in the borrowed classrooms of AC Tech,” said Mallik Putcha, writing in a campus paper a quarter of a century later. Students lived at the old Presidency College women’s hostel in Saidapet. “We used to cycle from there and cross the Adyar river by boat. I remember the ride used to cost us about 25 paise a week,” remembers R. Mahadevan.
There was no entrance examination, but one’s PUC (pre-university certificate) marks and performance at an intensive interview determined entry. “That interview was tougher than any JEE,” says Mr. Srinivasan. Dr. Mahadevan remembers that understanding the accent of the German professors on the panel was one of the tougher parts of the interview. “Dr. Koch, who taught Physics, would tell us we must learn to ‘sink’. It was some time before we realised he meant ‘think’,” says Dr. Mahadevan.
The German influence went beyond language mishaps.
They focussed on practical exercises, going so far as to insist on a week of workshop to follow every week of classroom teaching. Open book examinations, the importance given to analytical ability versus rote learning, and the ‘surprise tests’ for continuous evaluation made the IIT system different from its contemporaries, says Mr. Srinivasan.
After the first year, the students moved to the current campus to start classes at the Civil Engineering building and begin life at Cauvery hostel. “We lived with a cross-section of India, learning due to the cultural confluence,” says Dr. Mahadevan, recalling how they got used to a few days of familiar South Indian food, followed by Bengali or North Indian cuisine. In July 1964, the first graduates of IIT-M were given their degrees by the then President, S. Radhakrishnan, followed by dinner hosted by staff at the High Voltage lab. They have gone on to do their country proud.
Dr. Mahadevan went on to complete his Ph.D at IIT-M before joining India Pistons as a management trainee. Today, he is a director at the same company. Dr. Putcha went on to become a software engineer with Boeing at the NASA International Space Station.
Mr. Srinivasan worked with IBM, playing another role in IIT-M history by installing its first large mainframe computer in 1970. He taught at his alma mater for a stint before starting his own company in 1986.
“I applied after seeing a small news item in The Hindu. My uncle recommended that I apply to this new institute rather than the more established CEG [College of Engineering], Guindy. My mother was so angry with him for sending me off to a jungle,” laughs S. Srinivasan.
The jungle was untouched in those days, with no buildings on campus ready for the first batch of students. “Back then, IIT existed in the minds of the planners and its physical presence was discerned in the borrowed classrooms of AC Tech,” said Mallik Putcha, writing in a campus paper a quarter of a century later. Students lived at the old Presidency College women’s hostel in Saidapet. “We used to cycle from there and cross the Adyar river by boat. I remember the ride used to cost us about 25 paise a week,” remembers R. Mahadevan.
There was no entrance examination, but one’s PUC (pre-university certificate) marks and performance at an intensive interview determined entry. “That interview was tougher than any JEE,” says Mr. Srinivasan. Dr. Mahadevan remembers that understanding the accent of the German professors on the panel was one of the tougher parts of the interview. “Dr. Koch, who taught Physics, would tell us we must learn to ‘sink’. It was some time before we realised he meant ‘think’,” says Dr. Mahadevan.
The German influence went beyond language mishaps.
They focussed on practical exercises, going so far as to insist on a week of workshop to follow every week of classroom teaching. Open book examinations, the importance given to analytical ability versus rote learning, and the ‘surprise tests’ for continuous evaluation made the IIT system different from its contemporaries, says Mr. Srinivasan.
After the first year, the students moved to the current campus to start classes at the Civil Engineering building and begin life at Cauvery hostel. “We lived with a cross-section of India, learning due to the cultural confluence,” says Dr. Mahadevan, recalling how they got used to a few days of familiar South Indian food, followed by Bengali or North Indian cuisine. In July 1964, the first graduates of IIT-M were given their degrees by the then President, S. Radhakrishnan, followed by dinner hosted by staff at the High Voltage lab. They have gone on to do their country proud.
Dr. Mahadevan went on to complete his Ph.D at IIT-M before joining India Pistons as a management trainee. Today, he is a director at the same company. Dr. Putcha went on to become a software engineer with Boeing at the NASA International Space Station.
Mr. Srinivasan worked with IBM, playing another role in IIT-M history by installing its first large mainframe computer in 1970. He taught at his alma mater for a stint before starting his own company in 1986.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Chennai Airport plans get clearance
The Chennai airport modernisation project undertaken by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) got an approval from the Public Investment Board (PIB) today. The project now awaits the approval of the Cabinet Committee of Economic Affairs. Work on the airport modernisation is expected to begin by September this year.
The Rs 1,808-crore development project, which was mooted by the government in April 2007, would enhance the annual passenger handling capacity of the airport by more than 150 per cent from 9 million currently to 23 million. The project plans include enhancing the international terminal by October 2010, apart from building a new domestic terminal.
Eighty per cent of the project will be funded through internal resources of the AAI, while the rest will be through commercial borrowings
The Rs 1,808-crore development project, which was mooted by the government in April 2007, would enhance the annual passenger handling capacity of the airport by more than 150 per cent from 9 million currently to 23 million. The project plans include enhancing the international terminal by October 2010, apart from building a new domestic terminal.
Eighty per cent of the project will be funded through internal resources of the AAI, while the rest will be through commercial borrowings
Ashok Leyland mulls new product range
Ashok Leyland, the Hinduja Group flagship company, is planning to replace its existing products with new ones by 2012-13.
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- Ashok Leyland: On a roll
Unveiling the new platform for commercial trucks and engine in Chennai, R Seshasayee, managing director, Ashok Leyland, said the induction of new products would start by 2010 and is expected to be complete by 2012-13.
Though there has been a slowdown in the commercial vehicle segment due to a credit crunch, Ashok Leyland has no intentions of holding back its investments. The new platform, called Unitruck, which is 49 tonne GCW (gross combination weight) from 16 tonne GVW (gross vehicle weight)earlier, will cater to both domestic and international markets, said Seshasayee.
This on and off-highway platform variants can be created for different geographical locations, road/load conditions, applications and legislative requirements, he added.
The Unitruck range will feature new-generation cabs initially. These modular cabs will be available in multiple widths, heights, lengths and other features.
The company also introduced the ‘Neptune’ engine, which has modular capacity, ranging from 4.7-litre to 8-litre Bharat Stage (BS)-3 and BS-5, and conforms to Euro-4 emission norms. Moreover, it can be upgraded to Euro-V. All new vehicles of Ashok Leyland will have the Neptune engine, Seshasayee said.
The price advantage of products developed in India would be 1:4, he said. However, he pointed out that the unit cost difference would not be the same, as global original equipment makers (OEMs) source their products from developing markets.
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- Ashok Leyland: On a roll
Unveiling the new platform for commercial trucks and engine in Chennai, R Seshasayee, managing director, Ashok Leyland, said the induction of new products would start by 2010 and is expected to be complete by 2012-13.
Though there has been a slowdown in the commercial vehicle segment due to a credit crunch, Ashok Leyland has no intentions of holding back its investments. The new platform, called Unitruck, which is 49 tonne GCW (gross combination weight) from 16 tonne GVW (gross vehicle weight)earlier, will cater to both domestic and international markets, said Seshasayee.
This on and off-highway platform variants can be created for different geographical locations, road/load conditions, applications and legislative requirements, he added.
The Unitruck range will feature new-generation cabs initially. These modular cabs will be available in multiple widths, heights, lengths and other features.
The company also introduced the ‘Neptune’ engine, which has modular capacity, ranging from 4.7-litre to 8-litre Bharat Stage (BS)-3 and BS-5, and conforms to Euro-4 emission norms. Moreover, it can be upgraded to Euro-V. All new vehicles of Ashok Leyland will have the Neptune engine, Seshasayee said.
The price advantage of products developed in India would be 1:4, he said. However, he pointed out that the unit cost difference would not be the same, as global original equipment makers (OEMs) source their products from developing markets.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Manmohan government wins trust vote
The United Progressive Alliance (UPA) on Tuesday won the trust vote in the Lok Sabha by a margin of 19 votes after a two-day debate, often marked by acrimony and allegations. The ruling coalition secured 275 votes as against 256 by the Opposition. As many as 10 members were absent or abstained from voting.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh described the outcome as “a convincing victory” for the UPA government, the Congress and the supporting parties. “This will send a message to the world at large that India is prepared to take its rightful place in the comity of nations,” Dr. Singh told journalists after he emerged from the Parliament House.
“I thank all leaders of UPA, supporting parties, all Congress men and women who have worked unitedly with single-minded pursuit for this impressive victory,” he said.
On the other hand, the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) described it as “corrupt victory” and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) general secretary Prakash Karat said that it was a “sad day” for democracy.
Bahujan Samaj Party leader and U.P. Chief Minister Mayawati blamed the BJP for the UPA’s victory. “It is not a victory of the UPA but the result of the politics by the UPA and the NDA,” she asserted.
The Prime Minister could not give his reply in the House at the end of the debate as BJP members constantly chanted slogans, demanding his resignation in the wake of allegations of bribery. The proceedings were curtailed after the BJP members made dramatic allegations of some of them were bribed, and produced wads of currency notes in the House to support their case.
Asked for his comments on the sensational disclosures, Dr. Singh told journalists that the matter was with the Speaker and “we will cooperate with him” in taking necessary action in accordance with the provisions of law. “These developments have made me sad,” he added.
When the House reassembled at 6.30 p.m. after a series of adjournments, Speaker Somnath Chatterjee allowed smaller parties to make their brief interventions but these were drowned in the bouts of sloganeering and chants by the BJP members.
Asaduddin Owaisi of the All India Majlis-e-Muslimeen and Omar Abdullah of the National Conference could hardly be heard. Mr. Abdullah said there was no distinction between Muslims and Indians. The “real enemies are not nuclear deals like these but poverty, hunger, unemployment and lack of development,” the NC leader, who was Minister in the NDA regime said. He also referred to the Amarnath Yatra controversy and asserted that the pilgrimage, continuing for the past century, would continue as long as Kashmiris and Muslims remained in Srinagar and the Valley.
Other speakers from the smaller parties included Ranjeeta Ranjan of the Lok Jan Shakti Party, Hemlal Murmu of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, M.P. Veerendra Kumar of the JD(S), and Mehbooba Mufti of the People’s Democratic Party.
As the Prime Minister was not allowed to give his reply, it was laid on the table of the House and the Speaker moved on to the voting on the trust motion. Within seconds, the electronic score board displayed 253 votes in favour of the UPA government, 232 against it and two abstentions. Though the Speaker announced the result nearly an hour after that, Congress members and allies were seen walking up to the Prime Minister and congratulating him and Congress president Sonia Gandhi.
Oppn take stock of cross-voting,abstentions
nives were out in the Opposition camp to deal with MPs who cross-voted and abstained that helped the UPA government to win the trust vote with the BJD in Orissa setting the ball rolling expelling one MP.
Harihar Swain was expelled by Orissa's Biju Janata Dal(BJD), a constituent of NDA, for violating the party whip by voting in favour of the confidence motion.
BJD supremo and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said in Bhbaneshwar that proceeedings will be started to disqualify Swain from Lok Sabha membership. Swain is a known detractor of Patnaik. When contacted, Swain said he voted according to his 'inner voice'.
The TDP would initiate disciplinary action against two of its MPs - D K Adikeshavulu Naidu and M Jagannadham - who had defied the party and voted in favour of the UPA Government, party leader K Yerran Naidu said in Hyderabad.
Shiromani Akali Dal(SAD) is seeking an explanation from its lawmaker who abstained.
Akali Dal General Secretary Daljit Singh Cheema said the party has served a notice seeking an explanation from its MP Sukhdev Singh Libra who abstained from voting.
Fifteen MPs from the opposition including five from the BJP voted for the government while another nine MPs including four from the saffron party either abstained or absented.
Besides five MPs from BJP and 2 MPs each from TDP and MDMK, one MP each from BJD, JD-S,JD-U, TRS, NPF and NLP voted for the government. The government got 275 votes against opposition tally of 256. Nine MPs abstained.
Harihar Swain was expelled by Orissa's Biju Janata Dal(BJD), a constituent of NDA, for violating the party whip by voting in favour of the confidence motion.
BJD supremo and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said in Bhbaneshwar that proceeedings will be started to disqualify Swain from Lok Sabha membership. Swain is a known detractor of Patnaik. When contacted, Swain said he voted according to his 'inner voice'.
The TDP would initiate disciplinary action against two of its MPs - D K Adikeshavulu Naidu and M Jagannadham - who had defied the party and voted in favour of the UPA Government, party leader K Yerran Naidu said in Hyderabad.
Shiromani Akali Dal(SAD) is seeking an explanation from its lawmaker who abstained.
Akali Dal General Secretary Daljit Singh Cheema said the party has served a notice seeking an explanation from its MP Sukhdev Singh Libra who abstained from voting.
Fifteen MPs from the opposition including five from the BJP voted for the government while another nine MPs including four from the saffron party either abstained or absented.
Besides five MPs from BJP and 2 MPs each from TDP and MDMK, one MP each from BJD, JD-S,JD-U, TRS, NPF and NLP voted for the government. The government got 275 votes against opposition tally of 256. Nine MPs abstained.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Tata Steel makes it to Fortune 500 list
ELITE CLUB
Company
Rank
Indian Oil 116
Reliance 206
BPCL 287
HPCL 290
ONGC 335
Tata Steel 353
SBI 380
Company
Rank
Indian Oil 116
Reliance 206
BPCL 287
HPCL 290
ONGC 335
Tata Steel 353
SBI 380
Govt unveils IAEA agreement
The official version of the India-specific safeguards agreement currently submitted to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) says India "may take corrective measures to ensure uninterrupted operation of its civilian nuclear reactors in the event of disruption of foreign fuel supplies." The draft agreement after being available at a Washington based think tanks website for over 24 hours was made available on the Ministry of External Affairs official website an hour ago.
This clause is the only departure from a standard Information Circular 66/Rev 2, that will permit countries in the IAEA to allow India to conclude a safeguards agreement, the first step in operationalising the Indo-US civil nuclear agreement.
The clause is important and will have to be negotiated because IAEA countries will want to know what these ‘corrective measures' will be and how they will be
put into operation. The government of India has told the US it would need
guarantees that fuel supplies would not be interrupted, because it wants to avoid a repeat of the experience in the 1970s and 1990s when, because it carried out tests, the Western nations suspended supply of enriched uranium.
This clause is the only departure from a standard Information Circular 66/Rev 2, that will permit countries in the IAEA to allow India to conclude a safeguards agreement, the first step in operationalising the Indo-US civil nuclear agreement.
The clause is important and will have to be negotiated because IAEA countries will want to know what these ‘corrective measures' will be and how they will be
put into operation. The government of India has told the US it would need
guarantees that fuel supplies would not be interrupted, because it wants to avoid a repeat of the experience in the 1970s and 1990s when, because it carried out tests, the Western nations suspended supply of enriched uranium.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Arasu all set to wire TV signals
The stage is set for transmission by Government-run Arasu Cable TV Corporation from Thanjavur on July 15.
Antennae and other equipment have been installed and a master control room is ready at Thanjavur Cauvery Wholesale Super Market Building.
The control room will cover eight districts - Tiruchi, Thanjavur, Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur Pudukottai, Ariyalur, Perambalur and Karur.
A team of engineers headed by Shannavas, chief engineer, are engaged in installing eight dish antennae (digital) brought from France on top of the TCWS building.
Approved cable TV operators will be engaged for beaming the programmes in Thanjavur town. For the remaining districts, programmes will be beamed either through BSNL cable or cable owned by the Railways.
The rate is expected to be less than that collected by cable TV operators. According to S. Kumanan, President of Thanjavur District Cable TV Operators’ Association, there are 18,000 cable connections in Thanjavur town.
About 90 to 110 operators are linked to four major networks Zen, Ahalini and SQZ. Almost all the cable TV operators have been approved by the Government and it has also assured to take the programmes through them to households.
Antennae and other equipment have been installed and a master control room is ready at Thanjavur Cauvery Wholesale Super Market Building.
The control room will cover eight districts - Tiruchi, Thanjavur, Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur Pudukottai, Ariyalur, Perambalur and Karur.
A team of engineers headed by Shannavas, chief engineer, are engaged in installing eight dish antennae (digital) brought from France on top of the TCWS building.
Approved cable TV operators will be engaged for beaming the programmes in Thanjavur town. For the remaining districts, programmes will be beamed either through BSNL cable or cable owned by the Railways.
The rate is expected to be less than that collected by cable TV operators. According to S. Kumanan, President of Thanjavur District Cable TV Operators’ Association, there are 18,000 cable connections in Thanjavur town.
About 90 to 110 operators are linked to four major networks Zen, Ahalini and SQZ. Almost all the cable TV operators have been approved by the Government and it has also assured to take the programmes through them to households.
Supreme Court clears acquisition of land for Chennai airport
The Supreme Court on Tuesday paved the way for expansion of the Chennai airport by dismissing a special leave petition challenging the proceedings initiated by the Tamil Nadu government for acquisition of about 1,070 acres of land for this purpose.
A Bench of Justice R.V. Raveendran and Justice L.S. Panta dismissed the special leave petition at the admission stage after hearing senior counsel L. Nageswara Rao for the petitioner, Marco Marvel Projects Ltd, Additional Solicitor General R. Mohan for the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and senior counsel T.R. Andhyarujina for the Tamil Nadu government.
The special leave petition was against a Madras High Court judgment dated March 27 upholding the acquisition proceedings. The Bench declined to interfere with the impugned judgment.
The petitioner said it was promoting residential townships on 7.08 acres in the Sriperumbudur taluk and this land was sought to be acquired for the airport project.
It contended that the State government lacked competence to acquire the land, as only the Centre was competent to acquire lands on behalf of the Airports Authority of India.
The petitioner submitted that even if the acquisition could be made by the State government, it could not be done under the Tamil Nadu Acquisition Act, as the airport was neither an industrial area nor an industry for the purposes of the Act for which acquisition could be made. Lands could be acquired only under the provisions of the Land Acquisition Act, it said.
Further, the State government had no power to acquire the land for rehabilitation of the projected affected persons under the TNA Act.
Environmental clearance was mandatory for the proposed project and the same ought to have been obtained before the acquisition proceedings were initiated.
A Bench of Justice R.V. Raveendran and Justice L.S. Panta dismissed the special leave petition at the admission stage after hearing senior counsel L. Nageswara Rao for the petitioner, Marco Marvel Projects Ltd, Additional Solicitor General R. Mohan for the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and senior counsel T.R. Andhyarujina for the Tamil Nadu government.
The special leave petition was against a Madras High Court judgment dated March 27 upholding the acquisition proceedings. The Bench declined to interfere with the impugned judgment.
The petitioner said it was promoting residential townships on 7.08 acres in the Sriperumbudur taluk and this land was sought to be acquired for the airport project.
It contended that the State government lacked competence to acquire the land, as only the Centre was competent to acquire lands on behalf of the Airports Authority of India.
The petitioner submitted that even if the acquisition could be made by the State government, it could not be done under the Tamil Nadu Acquisition Act, as the airport was neither an industrial area nor an industry for the purposes of the Act for which acquisition could be made. Lands could be acquired only under the provisions of the Land Acquisition Act, it said.
Further, the State government had no power to acquire the land for rehabilitation of the projected affected persons under the TNA Act.
Environmental clearance was mandatory for the proposed project and the same ought to have been obtained before the acquisition proceedings were initiated.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Fuel crisis blows over, business as usual at bunks
It was business as usual on Wednesday for most petrol bunks in the city and the suburbs, with oil marketing companies pumping in substantial quantities of petrol and diesel in an attempt to tide over the nearly three-day-old fuel crisis.
Barring some retail outlets where queues of vehicles were seen in the morning and for sometime in the evening, there was no rush for fuel as reported since Sunday evening.
Senior officials of the oil industry told a press meet on Wednesday evening that normality was being restored and there is no need for the customers to panic. “We have sufficient stock … loaded [in tankers], 7,500 KL of diesel as against the average daily offtake of 4,800 KL and 3,300 KL of petrol against the requirement of 2,085 KL,” said V.K. Jayachandran, State-level Coordinator of oil industry (Tamil Nadu and Puducherry) and Executive Director of IOC (TN State office).
Noting that the situation has turned around in the last 24 hours, he said the stock on hand with the oil companies, at the Tondiarpet and Korrukkupet terminals, was 16,500 KL of petrol and 24,000 KL of diesel. The Chennai Petroleum Corporation Ltd holds 2,000 KL of petrol and 17,000 KL of diesel.
The press briefing was held hours after the State government held discussions, something that it had been doing since Monday, with officials of the companies.
At the meeting, Food and Civil Supplies Minister E. V.Velu said the companies, namely Indian Oil Corporation, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd, must ensure that the replenishment was sufficient so that the stock available does not go below 30 per cent of the capacity of oil bunks.
The companies were also told to nominate special coordinators to monitor the stock position and ensure that shortfalls were made good.
To normalise the distribution of petroleum products, immediate steps should be taken and the details regarding the opening and closing balance should be furnished to the Food Secretary and Civil Supplies Commissioner, an official release said.
Retail outlets could sell branded fuels by creating awareness of their benefits. But such outlets should also make available regular fuel. The meeting decided that the oil companies together with consumer forums and the district administration would hold awareness campaigns in every district.
Slippage in arrival
Senior officials of the companies told mediapersons that a slippage in the arrival of an import consignment of diesel by the BPCL was the reason. When the diesel stock depleted, there was panic buying of petrol as well by customers.
Sanjay Krishnamurti, Executive Director (Retail) of the BPCL said in addition to the 14,000 tonnes diesel consignment from Kochi, which arrived at the Chennai port and was being discharged since morning, one consignment of 28,000 tonnes was on its way.
Barring some retail outlets where queues of vehicles were seen in the morning and for sometime in the evening, there was no rush for fuel as reported since Sunday evening.
Senior officials of the oil industry told a press meet on Wednesday evening that normality was being restored and there is no need for the customers to panic. “We have sufficient stock … loaded [in tankers], 7,500 KL of diesel as against the average daily offtake of 4,800 KL and 3,300 KL of petrol against the requirement of 2,085 KL,” said V.K. Jayachandran, State-level Coordinator of oil industry (Tamil Nadu and Puducherry) and Executive Director of IOC (TN State office).
Noting that the situation has turned around in the last 24 hours, he said the stock on hand with the oil companies, at the Tondiarpet and Korrukkupet terminals, was 16,500 KL of petrol and 24,000 KL of diesel. The Chennai Petroleum Corporation Ltd holds 2,000 KL of petrol and 17,000 KL of diesel.
The press briefing was held hours after the State government held discussions, something that it had been doing since Monday, with officials of the companies.
At the meeting, Food and Civil Supplies Minister E. V.Velu said the companies, namely Indian Oil Corporation, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd, must ensure that the replenishment was sufficient so that the stock available does not go below 30 per cent of the capacity of oil bunks.
The companies were also told to nominate special coordinators to monitor the stock position and ensure that shortfalls were made good.
To normalise the distribution of petroleum products, immediate steps should be taken and the details regarding the opening and closing balance should be furnished to the Food Secretary and Civil Supplies Commissioner, an official release said.
Retail outlets could sell branded fuels by creating awareness of their benefits. But such outlets should also make available regular fuel. The meeting decided that the oil companies together with consumer forums and the district administration would hold awareness campaigns in every district.
Slippage in arrival
Senior officials of the companies told mediapersons that a slippage in the arrival of an import consignment of diesel by the BPCL was the reason. When the diesel stock depleted, there was panic buying of petrol as well by customers.
Sanjay Krishnamurti, Executive Director (Retail) of the BPCL said in addition to the 14,000 tonnes diesel consignment from Kochi, which arrived at the Chennai port and was being discharged since morning, one consignment of 28,000 tonnes was on its way.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Monday, June 23, 2008
SPEL Semiconductor drops plans for SEZ project
Chennia-based SPEL Semiconductor Ltd has dropped plans for setting up Special Economic Zone (SEZs) due to its inability to execute such projects.
It has decided to approach the Government of India with representation to withdrawcancel approval granted to SEZ project, the company informed the Bombay Stock Exchange today.
The board of IC assembly and test company took decision on June 20, 2008 to approach the government with request to cancel the approval.
The company did not elaborate on reasons for dropping plans for the project.
SPEL Semiconductor had received nod in June 2007 to set up SEZ Chennai to develop facilities for IT hardware manufacturing.
It has decided to approach the Government of India with representation to withdrawcancel approval granted to SEZ project, the company informed the Bombay Stock Exchange today.
The board of IC assembly and test company took decision on June 20, 2008 to approach the government with request to cancel the approval.
The company did not elaborate on reasons for dropping plans for the project.
SPEL Semiconductor had received nod in June 2007 to set up SEZ Chennai to develop facilities for IT hardware manufacturing.
Saturday, June 21, 2008
I will mediate between Left and Congress: Karunanidhi
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi will mediate between the Congress and the Left parties in an effort to resolve their differences over the India-U.S. nuclear deal.
“We have a duty to resolve the differences between the Congress and the Left parties in the interest of the nation,” he said at a function here on Saturday to mark the diamond jubilee of the Indian Union Muslim League.
Mr. Karunanidhi, who is meeting Left leaders in Chennai on Sunday, said he would go to New Delhi soon to find an amicable solution, and expressed the hope that his mission would “help save India.”
Appealing to all secular parties not to allow communal forces to gain the upper hand, he said if such forces came to power, issues such as construction of a Ram temple at Ayodhya would crop up again, and the country would not be able to remain peaceful.
“We have a duty to resolve the differences between the Congress and the Left parties in the interest of the nation,” he said at a function here on Saturday to mark the diamond jubilee of the Indian Union Muslim League.
Mr. Karunanidhi, who is meeting Left leaders in Chennai on Sunday, said he would go to New Delhi soon to find an amicable solution, and expressed the hope that his mission would “help save India.”
Appealing to all secular parties not to allow communal forces to gain the upper hand, he said if such forces came to power, issues such as construction of a Ram temple at Ayodhya would crop up again, and the country would not be able to remain peaceful.
Friday, June 20, 2008
Alliance issue closed: Karunanidhi
Ruling out any rapprochement with the Pattali Makkal Katchi, Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi on Friday termed the alliance issue a “closed chapter.”
Talking to reporters at his Gopalapuram residence after inducting Tindivanam Municipality Chairman A. Boopalan, who was elected on a PMK ticket, into the DMK, Mr. Karunanidhi rejected the criticism that his party had unilaterally decided to snap ties with the PMK.
“The decision was taken within the party (DMK),” he said, adding that there was no proposal from Dr Ramadoss to consult others before nominating his son to the Rajya Sabha and later making him a Union Minister.
Asked about the resolution adopted in the general council meeting of the PMK, rejecting action against Kaduvetti Guru and giving a point-by- point reply to the DMK’s charges against the PMK, the Chief Minister said,
“It has proved what he had spoken.”
He said the speech could not be simply brushed aside just because it was made some months ago.
Asked whether any case would be filed against Mr. Guru, he said the issue had to be dealt with according to the law.
On the efforts made by Viduthalai Chiruthaikal Katchi president Thol Thirumavalavan to bring the DMK and the PMK together, the Chief Minister said that he also met him.
“But I told him that there was not even an attempt to express regret for Mr. Guru’s words.”
Asked whether he was open to rapprochement if the PMK came forward to express regret, the Chief Minister said the resolution of the general council did not make any such attempt. The alliance issue was a closed chapter, he said to persistent queries from reporters. Mr. Boopalan, who was with the DMK before defecting to the PMK, said he was returning to the DMK because he was not able to do any work in his municipality. He refused to go into the bickering between the DMK and the PMK.
Talking to reporters at his Gopalapuram residence after inducting Tindivanam Municipality Chairman A. Boopalan, who was elected on a PMK ticket, into the DMK, Mr. Karunanidhi rejected the criticism that his party had unilaterally decided to snap ties with the PMK.
“The decision was taken within the party (DMK),” he said, adding that there was no proposal from Dr Ramadoss to consult others before nominating his son to the Rajya Sabha and later making him a Union Minister.
Asked about the resolution adopted in the general council meeting of the PMK, rejecting action against Kaduvetti Guru and giving a point-by- point reply to the DMK’s charges against the PMK, the Chief Minister said,
“It has proved what he had spoken.”
He said the speech could not be simply brushed aside just because it was made some months ago.
Asked whether any case would be filed against Mr. Guru, he said the issue had to be dealt with according to the law.
On the efforts made by Viduthalai Chiruthaikal Katchi president Thol Thirumavalavan to bring the DMK and the PMK together, the Chief Minister said that he also met him.
“But I told him that there was not even an attempt to express regret for Mr. Guru’s words.”
Asked whether he was open to rapprochement if the PMK came forward to express regret, the Chief Minister said the resolution of the general council did not make any such attempt. The alliance issue was a closed chapter, he said to persistent queries from reporters. Mr. Boopalan, who was with the DMK before defecting to the PMK, said he was returning to the DMK because he was not able to do any work in his municipality. He refused to go into the bickering between the DMK and the PMK.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
STAR WARS in Tamil Nadu Electoral ambitions of Tamil superstars pop us, as fans 'pray' for a political base.
A small temple in Tamil Nadu's Rajapalayam town saw an unusual crowd last week - a gathering of Rajnikanth-fans who prayed fervently for their icon to make the decision to enter politics.
The members of the Rajnikanth Fans Association also sacrificed 10 goats at the Pechiamman temple in Rajapalayam, about 100 km from Madurai, to appease the deity, hoping that their wish would be fulfilled.
After the huge success of ‘Sivaji: The Boss’, Rajnikanth is now busy with his next film ‘Kuselan’, whose rights have reportedly been sold to Pyramid Saimira for Rs.640 million. With Rajni still engrossed in films, only divine intervention could draw him into politics, his fans felt.
"We pray that our superstar should enter active politics," said Yogasekaran, the leader of the fans association.
He pointed out that other film heroes like Vijayakanth and Sarath Kumar had their own parties. Even actor Karthik had left the All India Forward Bloc and set up his own political party.
Fans of Rajni fear that others will hog the political space for actors in the ruling DMK, especially after the exit of Sarath Kumar.
Chennai is rife with rumours that Karunanidhi, after having dropped the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) from the DMK-led alliance, is ready to welcome Vijayakanth's Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kahzagam (DMDK) into the fold.
Last week, Vijayakanth, popularly known as Captain, told the media in his constituency Vriddhachalam that the DMDK will "only align with parties that give a written undertaking to strive for the people's welfare" for the coming Lok Sabha elections.
On Sunday, he said: "I have no plans to team up with any party, I am confident of my alliance with the people. No one can stop me from becoming the chief minister.
"Reject both these parties (the DMK and the AIADMK) and give new thinking a chance... Take their money (DMK's and AIADMK's), because it is really yours and vote for the DMDK," the Captain said.
He stressed that common people were reeling under the burden of "price rise and Special Economic Zones" and demanded "a ban on online trading of food grains" - similar to what one-time actress and AIADMK leader J. Jayalalithaa has been saying for the past several weeks.
Her focus of criticism, however, was not arch rival DMK, but Finance Minister P. Chidambaram and the United Progressive Alliance's policies to ensure that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) keeps her AIADMK in its radar for the 2009 polls as a staunch detractor of the UPA.
Jayalalithaa has, in several recent attacks on Vijayakanth, said she and her party "were the true inheritors of MGR (AIADMK founder M.G. Ramachandran)", dismissing all talk of any friendship with Vijayakanth, known as 'Karuppu MGR' or black MGR.
This has lent credibility to the rumours of the DMDK allying with the DMK rather than with the AIADMK, which is more likely to extend its hands to the tried and tested PMK.
But where is superstar Kamal Haasan in all this star talk?
Kamal perhaps wants his much-hyped Friday released ‘Dasavatharam’ to speak for his politics. The opening and ending shots of the film had DMK patriarch Karunanidhi and the film began with the debate on whether there is god - the Dravidian rationalist's constant argument.
It ends with the argument that if there is god, should he let this happen - Shots of a great tsunami devastating Tamil Nadu's coast, drowning a statue of poet-saint Thiruvalluvar, and one of Kamal's avatars Vincent Poovaragan, a Dalit leader.
The film was also replete with shots of Jayalalithaaq reviewing relief work in a helicopter and gave credence to crank theories about the 2004 tsunami, thrown in with a liberal dose of anti-Americanism - perhaps aimed at pleasing the Indian Left. The film, therefore, gave his audience ideas that Kamal Haasan too was preparing for a political debut with a very unscientific potboiler.
All-India Samathuva Makkal Katchi president Sarath Kumar has, meanwhile, made his anti-DMK stand stronger by calling for the "resignation" of Chief Minister Karunanidhi, who must "own responsibility for his failure to check prices of essential commodities".
The actor-politician even went on to ask, "Will reinstalling the Kannagi statue and securing classical, divine-language status to Tamil help control the rates of essential commodities?"
The members of the Rajnikanth Fans Association also sacrificed 10 goats at the Pechiamman temple in Rajapalayam, about 100 km from Madurai, to appease the deity, hoping that their wish would be fulfilled.
After the huge success of ‘Sivaji: The Boss’, Rajnikanth is now busy with his next film ‘Kuselan’, whose rights have reportedly been sold to Pyramid Saimira for Rs.640 million. With Rajni still engrossed in films, only divine intervention could draw him into politics, his fans felt.
"We pray that our superstar should enter active politics," said Yogasekaran, the leader of the fans association.
He pointed out that other film heroes like Vijayakanth and Sarath Kumar had their own parties. Even actor Karthik had left the All India Forward Bloc and set up his own political party.
Fans of Rajni fear that others will hog the political space for actors in the ruling DMK, especially after the exit of Sarath Kumar.
Chennai is rife with rumours that Karunanidhi, after having dropped the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) from the DMK-led alliance, is ready to welcome Vijayakanth's Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kahzagam (DMDK) into the fold.
Last week, Vijayakanth, popularly known as Captain, told the media in his constituency Vriddhachalam that the DMDK will "only align with parties that give a written undertaking to strive for the people's welfare" for the coming Lok Sabha elections.
On Sunday, he said: "I have no plans to team up with any party, I am confident of my alliance with the people. No one can stop me from becoming the chief minister.
"Reject both these parties (the DMK and the AIADMK) and give new thinking a chance... Take their money (DMK's and AIADMK's), because it is really yours and vote for the DMDK," the Captain said.
He stressed that common people were reeling under the burden of "price rise and Special Economic Zones" and demanded "a ban on online trading of food grains" - similar to what one-time actress and AIADMK leader J. Jayalalithaa has been saying for the past several weeks.
Her focus of criticism, however, was not arch rival DMK, but Finance Minister P. Chidambaram and the United Progressive Alliance's policies to ensure that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) keeps her AIADMK in its radar for the 2009 polls as a staunch detractor of the UPA.
Jayalalithaa has, in several recent attacks on Vijayakanth, said she and her party "were the true inheritors of MGR (AIADMK founder M.G. Ramachandran)", dismissing all talk of any friendship with Vijayakanth, known as 'Karuppu MGR' or black MGR.
This has lent credibility to the rumours of the DMDK allying with the DMK rather than with the AIADMK, which is more likely to extend its hands to the tried and tested PMK.
But where is superstar Kamal Haasan in all this star talk?
Kamal perhaps wants his much-hyped Friday released ‘Dasavatharam’ to speak for his politics. The opening and ending shots of the film had DMK patriarch Karunanidhi and the film began with the debate on whether there is god - the Dravidian rationalist's constant argument.
It ends with the argument that if there is god, should he let this happen - Shots of a great tsunami devastating Tamil Nadu's coast, drowning a statue of poet-saint Thiruvalluvar, and one of Kamal's avatars Vincent Poovaragan, a Dalit leader.
The film was also replete with shots of Jayalalithaaq reviewing relief work in a helicopter and gave credence to crank theories about the 2004 tsunami, thrown in with a liberal dose of anti-Americanism - perhaps aimed at pleasing the Indian Left. The film, therefore, gave his audience ideas that Kamal Haasan too was preparing for a political debut with a very unscientific potboiler.
All-India Samathuva Makkal Katchi president Sarath Kumar has, meanwhile, made his anti-DMK stand stronger by calling for the "resignation" of Chief Minister Karunanidhi, who must "own responsibility for his failure to check prices of essential commodities".
The actor-politician even went on to ask, "Will reinstalling the Kannagi statue and securing classical, divine-language status to Tamil help control the rates of essential commodities?"
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
DMK snaps ties with PMK
The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam announced on Tuesday that it was snapping its ties with the Pattali Makkal Katchi since the DMK “could not accept that … relations had to be continued with a party that denigrated” it.
A nine-page resolution, adopted at the end of over hour-long deliberations of the party’s High Level Policy Implementation Committee here, said that after a PMK leader spoke in a cheap and derogatory manner that sought to take away the DMK’s self-respect — he was not even apologetic, nor did the PMK leadership take action against him — and since it could not be accepted that the alliance had to be continued with such persons, “the committee regrets to announce that a situation had emerged where the [Democratic Progressive] alliance could not go forward along with such people [the PMK].”
The speech in question was made by J. Guru, former MLA, who spoke at a PMK meeting in a derogatory manner about the DMK leadership. He said that if any PMK functionary was arrested, Union Minister A. Raja and MLA Sivasankar would not be alive. The PMK contends that the speech was an “old issue” that “has been sorted out.” Asked about this, Mr. Karunanidhi shot back: “Will you condone a murder just because it was committed some time ago?”
Mr. Karunanidhi said he had read about the speech in the media but had not taken it seriously.
A nine-page resolution, adopted at the end of over hour-long deliberations of the party’s High Level Policy Implementation Committee here, said that after a PMK leader spoke in a cheap and derogatory manner that sought to take away the DMK’s self-respect — he was not even apologetic, nor did the PMK leadership take action against him — and since it could not be accepted that the alliance had to be continued with such persons, “the committee regrets to announce that a situation had emerged where the [Democratic Progressive] alliance could not go forward along with such people [the PMK].”
The speech in question was made by J. Guru, former MLA, who spoke at a PMK meeting in a derogatory manner about the DMK leadership. He said that if any PMK functionary was arrested, Union Minister A. Raja and MLA Sivasankar would not be alive. The PMK contends that the speech was an “old issue” that “has been sorted out.” Asked about this, Mr. Karunanidhi shot back: “Will you condone a murder just because it was committed some time ago?”
Mr. Karunanidhi said he had read about the speech in the media but had not taken it seriously.
Chrysler in talks with TN for car plant
The US car maker will send a team to the state for feasibility study.
American car maker Chrysler is in talks with the Tamil Nadu government to set up a greenfield facility in the state. The company has agreed to send a team to Tamil Nadu to study the feasibility of the project in the state.
While the discussion with the Tamil Nadu government is at very early stage, a senior official in the government said that Chrysler was looking at expanding its operations in Asia and India is one market the car maker is keen to enter.The amount of investment could not be ascertained.
VROOMING FAST
# Chrysler is looking at expanding its operations in Asia and India is one market the car maker is keen to enter.
# Earlier, a team of senior officials from various state departments toured the US to woo investments.
# Members of the TN team met Chrysler executives to brief them on the advantages of setting up their first plant in the state.
American car maker Chrysler is in talks with the Tamil Nadu government to set up a greenfield facility in the state. The company has agreed to send a team to Tamil Nadu to study the feasibility of the project in the state.
While the discussion with the Tamil Nadu government is at very early stage, a senior official in the government said that Chrysler was looking at expanding its operations in Asia and India is one market the car maker is keen to enter.The amount of investment could not be ascertained.
VROOMING FAST
# Chrysler is looking at expanding its operations in Asia and India is one market the car maker is keen to enter.
# Earlier, a team of senior officials from various state departments toured the US to woo investments.
# Members of the TN team met Chrysler executives to brief them on the advantages of setting up their first plant in the state.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Friday, June 13, 2008
TCS creates record at VIT
Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), India's largest IT company, has selected a whopping total of 1,075 students of VIT University after a very rigorous screening in the first slot for the 2009 June passing out batch. The interviews were conducted at VIT from June 2 to June 4.
TCS has thus created a world record by selecting the largest number of students from a single campus by any company anywhere in the world. In June 2007, TCS had selected 789 students from VIT and set a record at that time.
For this year 1,696 VIT students had appeared for the TCS online test and 1416 qualified, which is the highest percentage of pass for TCS from any campus across the country as on date. Students from BTech (EEE, E&I, Civil, Chemical and Mechanical) fared equally well along with those from IT branches. TCS also recruited 128 MS (Software Engineering) students out of the 166 students in the PG stream.
Well known IT giants like Microsoft, Google, Yahoo, Oracle etc., had visited VIT for placements in the last academic year and are expected later this year. VIT has topped the campus placements in the last 5 years throughout the country in the private sector.
VIT Chancellor, G Viswanathan announced the final selection list at Anna Auditorium, VIT University on June 4 amidst thunderous applause from the students. He thanked TCS CEO, Ramadorai and the TCS selection team headed by Antony Dinesh for their faith in the quality of VIT students.
TCS has thus created a world record by selecting the largest number of students from a single campus by any company anywhere in the world. In June 2007, TCS had selected 789 students from VIT and set a record at that time.
For this year 1,696 VIT students had appeared for the TCS online test and 1416 qualified, which is the highest percentage of pass for TCS from any campus across the country as on date. Students from BTech (EEE, E&I, Civil, Chemical and Mechanical) fared equally well along with those from IT branches. TCS also recruited 128 MS (Software Engineering) students out of the 166 students in the PG stream.
Well known IT giants like Microsoft, Google, Yahoo, Oracle etc., had visited VIT for placements in the last academic year and are expected later this year. VIT has topped the campus placements in the last 5 years throughout the country in the private sector.
VIT Chancellor, G Viswanathan announced the final selection list at Anna Auditorium, VIT University on June 4 amidst thunderous applause from the students. He thanked TCS CEO, Ramadorai and the TCS selection team headed by Antony Dinesh for their faith in the quality of VIT students.
Tamilnadu New Assembly complex by 2010
Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi on Thursday laid the foundation stone for the new Legislative Assembly complex and Secretariat at the Omandurar Government Estate here.
The Assembly complex, spread over 1.2 lakh square metres in two blocks, will have a mix of both traditional and modern features. The Assembly division will have seating for 300 MLAs.
The 2010-2011 State budget will be presented in the new Legislative Assembly, said Public Works Department Minister Durai Murugan.
Chief Justice of the Madras High Court A.K. Ganguly, speaking on the decision to attend the function, said the normal practice was for “judiciary and its members” to stay away from the other arms of the State — executive and legislature. “That is the conventional view. I think judiciary is a part of the State. That is also the Constitutional dispensation. Being part of the State, Judges and judiciary are not out of place in this evening’s function.”
Mr. Karunanidhi, who took permission from the Chief Justice to speak remaining seated, explained that the complex was not coming up at the cost of other schemes. He recalled many of the schemes being implemented, to stress that the government was serious about all development schemes. It needed a new place for legislators to debate on the schemes. He called upon the PWD Minister and the department not be swayed by hostile opinion and wanted them to complete the project at the earliest.
Finance Minister K. Anbazhagan said the movement from inside Fort to the government estate was symbolic as it represented one more step closer to the people.
Plea against ‘Dasavatharam’ rejected
The Supreme Court on Thursday declined to interfere with a Madras High Court judgment allowing the screening of Tamil film ‘Dasavatharam,’ starring Kamal Haasan, thereby paving the way for its release on Friday.
A vacation Bench of Justice Arijit Pasayat and Justice P.P. Naolekar dismissed a special leave petition filed by Swami Govinda Ramanuja Dasa, president of the International Sri Vaishnava Dharma Samrakshanaa Society, challenging the High Court judgment. The Bench heard the Swami, and counsel K.K. Mani and K. Ravi, appearing for film director K.S. Ravikumar and producer V. Ravichandran of Oscar Films. Counsel denied ‘Dasavatharam’ “sarcastically ridicules or denigrates the religious sentiments of Hindus.”
It said: “The petition is premature as the petitioner himself has admitted that he has not seen the full movie. Further, affidavits have been filed in the High Court by the respondents, including the director, producer and the Censor Board, that there are no objectionable scenes in the movie. However, after seeing the movie, if there are objectionable scenes, it is open to the petitioner to take appropriate action…”
A vacation Bench of Justice Arijit Pasayat and Justice P.P. Naolekar dismissed a special leave petition filed by Swami Govinda Ramanuja Dasa, president of the International Sri Vaishnava Dharma Samrakshanaa Society, challenging the High Court judgment. The Bench heard the Swami, and counsel K.K. Mani and K. Ravi, appearing for film director K.S. Ravikumar and producer V. Ravichandran of Oscar Films. Counsel denied ‘Dasavatharam’ “sarcastically ridicules or denigrates the religious sentiments of Hindus.”
It said: “The petition is premature as the petitioner himself has admitted that he has not seen the full movie. Further, affidavits have been filed in the High Court by the respondents, including the director, producer and the Censor Board, that there are no objectionable scenes in the movie. However, after seeing the movie, if there are objectionable scenes, it is open to the petitioner to take appropriate action…”
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Prices of automotive lubricants hiked
The three national oil marketing companies have increased the prices of automotive lubricants such as two-stroke engine oils, adding to the burden of motorists.
The prices of lubricants across the grades marketed by Indian Oil Corporation have gone up by about Rs. 18 a litre since April, including an increase of Rs. 12 from Tuesday, company sources said. The prices were untouched for around 18 months prior to the increase in April.
The reasons for the increase include an increase in the cost of base oil, a key raw material and additives.
The prices of lubricants across the grades marketed by Indian Oil Corporation have gone up by about Rs. 18 a litre since April, including an increase of Rs. 12 from Tuesday, company sources said. The prices were untouched for around 18 months prior to the increase in April.
The reasons for the increase include an increase in the cost of base oil, a key raw material and additives.
‘Paruthiveeran’ hogs the limelight Awards for Priya Mani and Vasanthabalan
Priya Mani can’t seem to hide her excitement. The news of her winning the National Award for best female lead came when she was enjoying a break at her Bangalore residence.
“I can’t believe this. To get this prestigious award at such an early stage in one’s career is like a dream. I am really excited,” the actor told The Hindu over telephone.
The award, she says, goes to the entire ‘Paruthiveeran’ team. “I also dedicate it to my gurus Bharathiraja sir and Balumahendra sir,” said the actor, who currently has her hands full with films in Malayalam, Tamil and Telugu.
Understandably, it’s a double treat for Paruthiveeran’s director Ameer. “I am really happy for both of them. I’m sure Priya Mani will choose to play weighty characters after this,” he said, adding, “I had an amazing team. It would have been wonderful if Karthi and Yuvan had also got an award.”
Director Vasanthabalan, whose ‘Veyil’ was adjudged the best feature film in Tamil, sees this award as an acknowledgement for his 15 years’ struggle. “I did not make the film keeping this award in mind. It was an earnest attempt to say something from the heart. What the audience saw was my story…my poetry…my experiences…my tears and my joy,” he said.
For ‘Veyil,’ which was screened at the Cannes Film Festival and also made it to the contest at the Shanghai festival, this is yet another honour.
Vasanthabalan feels it was the liberty given by director Shankar, producer of the film, that made this possible.
“This award has brought a lot of meaning and colour to my life. I dedicate it to my team that gave its best for this film,” he said.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Central station telegraph office faces closure threat
The future of the telegraph office at Chennai Central railway station lies in the balance, following a spat between BSNL Chennai Telephones and the Railways over rental.
The difference of opinion also extends to whether the telegraph office is functioning as a public utility or as a commercial outlet.
The Railways is demanding rent at commercial rates for roughly 650 sqft while Chennai Telephones argues for a concessional rent as the telegraph and public call office was a convenience for the travelling public.
BSNL sources said the department could ill afford the commercial rates proposed by Railways and had no option but to close down the facility.
The BSNL, which approached Railways some time ago with a proposal to construct an additional storey as part of establishing a full-fledged Customer Service Centre (CSC) was told to pay monthly rent at the rate of Rs. 58 per sq ft for the 650-sq ft space and also to cough up nearly Rs. 30 lakh as arrears (calculated from the year 2000 when BSNL became a public sector undertaking).
The difference of opinion also extends to whether the telegraph office is functioning as a public utility or as a commercial outlet.
The Railways is demanding rent at commercial rates for roughly 650 sqft while Chennai Telephones argues for a concessional rent as the telegraph and public call office was a convenience for the travelling public.
BSNL sources said the department could ill afford the commercial rates proposed by Railways and had no option but to close down the facility.
The BSNL, which approached Railways some time ago with a proposal to construct an additional storey as part of establishing a full-fledged Customer Service Centre (CSC) was told to pay monthly rent at the rate of Rs. 58 per sq ft for the 650-sq ft space and also to cough up nearly Rs. 30 lakh as arrears (calculated from the year 2000 when BSNL became a public sector undertaking).
Birth, death certificates to be issued online
When Primary Health Centres go in for e-administration, there certainly are advantages for the common man. If the well-laid out plans of the Directorate of Public Health (DPH) fructify, birth and death certificates will soon be available online.
Seeking to seamlessly integrate the civil registration functions into its primary health unit, the DPH hopes to facilitate the evolution of the PHC as a one-stop shop for villagers. With the online registration system, certificates can be downloaded via the Internet and printed at one’s convenience from any computer.
However, this will be preceded by a more basic service through which birth certificates will be delivered by the staff (who will liaise with revenue officials) to mothers before they leave the PHC. In effect, this move will provide villagers the same benefits that people in the cities and towns are already enjoying. Parents of children born in government hospitals in cities and towns are now spared the trouble of going through the process of getting a birth certificate. Hospital staff themselves are required to procure the documents with attestation from revenue officials and hand them over to the parents before the mothers are discharged.
When this was implemented on a trial basis in PHCs in Kanyakumari district, birth certificates were provided in three days, according to Director of Public Health S. Elango.
In a unique experiment, Health Inspectors of PHCs were designated birth and death registrars, who will issue certificates.
“For deliveries in Corporation or other Government Hospitals in the Chennai city limits, we have ensured that the birth certificates are handed over within 24 hours or if there is a delay, the document is delivered at home,” Rajesh Lakhoni, Corporation Commissioner, said.
The civil registration system will go online first in the city. Once active, hospitals will provide inputs about the birth to the Corporation’s birth registrar, who will validate the facts and put the information online in the set format, attested with a digital signature. “People can download this from any computer and print it out,” Mr. Lakhoni said.
Dr. Elango said the former Director of Public health P. Padmanabhan had held discussions with the Revenue Administration department to tie up with village-level revenue and panchayat officials to facilitate easy birth and death registration at PHCs.
Software developed by the National Informatics Centre will enable downloading of forms and certificates online with digital attestations. A print out could be taken at the PHC and handed over to the mothers or relatives.
Seeking to seamlessly integrate the civil registration functions into its primary health unit, the DPH hopes to facilitate the evolution of the PHC as a one-stop shop for villagers. With the online registration system, certificates can be downloaded via the Internet and printed at one’s convenience from any computer.
However, this will be preceded by a more basic service through which birth certificates will be delivered by the staff (who will liaise with revenue officials) to mothers before they leave the PHC. In effect, this move will provide villagers the same benefits that people in the cities and towns are already enjoying. Parents of children born in government hospitals in cities and towns are now spared the trouble of going through the process of getting a birth certificate. Hospital staff themselves are required to procure the documents with attestation from revenue officials and hand them over to the parents before the mothers are discharged.
When this was implemented on a trial basis in PHCs in Kanyakumari district, birth certificates were provided in three days, according to Director of Public Health S. Elango.
In a unique experiment, Health Inspectors of PHCs were designated birth and death registrars, who will issue certificates.
“For deliveries in Corporation or other Government Hospitals in the Chennai city limits, we have ensured that the birth certificates are handed over within 24 hours or if there is a delay, the document is delivered at home,” Rajesh Lakhoni, Corporation Commissioner, said.
The civil registration system will go online first in the city. Once active, hospitals will provide inputs about the birth to the Corporation’s birth registrar, who will validate the facts and put the information online in the set format, attested with a digital signature. “People can download this from any computer and print it out,” Mr. Lakhoni said.
Dr. Elango said the former Director of Public health P. Padmanabhan had held discussions with the Revenue Administration department to tie up with village-level revenue and panchayat officials to facilitate easy birth and death registration at PHCs.
Software developed by the National Informatics Centre will enable downloading of forms and certificates online with digital attestations. A print out could be taken at the PHC and handed over to the mothers or relatives.
Friday, June 6, 2008
Varsity finalises college locations
Anna University–Tiruchi (AU-T) has finalised temporary locations from where its four constituent colleges would start functioning from the ensuing academic year. In Nagapattinam district, the constituent college will function from Anjugam Muthuvelar Government Higher Secondary School at Thirukkuvalai.
Likewise, in Ariyalur district, the constituent college will become operational from the premises of the Ariyalur Government Arts and Science College.
In Ramanathapuram district and Panrutti in Cuddalore district, the university has identified private locations with huge buildings. The university intends to establish re-locatable sheds.“The task of appointing faculty and creating permanent infrastructure for the four constituent units has already been initiated,” said Vice-Chancellor V. Ramachandran.
A uniform architectural plan has been drawn up for all the four constituent colleges. For each college, a huge 1.25 lakh square feet building has been envisaged. The permanent infrastructural facilities are expected to get ready in a year’s time, he said, exuding confidence that the constituent units would receive the desired patronage at the time of counselling.
Likewise, in Ariyalur district, the constituent college will become operational from the premises of the Ariyalur Government Arts and Science College.
In Ramanathapuram district and Panrutti in Cuddalore district, the university has identified private locations with huge buildings. The university intends to establish re-locatable sheds.“The task of appointing faculty and creating permanent infrastructure for the four constituent units has already been initiated,” said Vice-Chancellor V. Ramachandran.
A uniform architectural plan has been drawn up for all the four constituent colleges. For each college, a huge 1.25 lakh square feet building has been envisaged. The permanent infrastructural facilities are expected to get ready in a year’s time, he said, exuding confidence that the constituent units would receive the desired patronage at the time of counselling.
State cuts tax on diesel by 2 per cent
Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi on Thursday announced a 2 per cent reduction in tax on diesel in the State to counter the hike in prices of petroleum products announced by the Centre.
This will lead to revenue loss of Rs.260 crore a year. In addition, State Transport Corporations stand to add Rs. 210 crore to the losses as there is no move to raise bus fares.
Recalling the statement of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, wherein he had said that States levying high tax rates should enforce cuts and absorb the petroleum price hike, Mr. Karunanidhi said when the Centre hiked fuel prices in 2006, Tamil Nadu was the first to cut sales tax, bringing it down from 25 per cent to 23.43 per cent.
Subsequently, the Centre lowered prices of petrol and diesel, but the State government did not restore the tax to the earlier, higher rate. Because of this, the government was losing Rs.200 crore each year.
This will lead to revenue loss of Rs.260 crore a year. In addition, State Transport Corporations stand to add Rs. 210 crore to the losses as there is no move to raise bus fares.
Recalling the statement of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, wherein he had said that States levying high tax rates should enforce cuts and absorb the petroleum price hike, Mr. Karunanidhi said when the Centre hiked fuel prices in 2006, Tamil Nadu was the first to cut sales tax, bringing it down from 25 per cent to 23.43 per cent.
Subsequently, the Centre lowered prices of petrol and diesel, but the State government did not restore the tax to the earlier, higher rate. Because of this, the government was losing Rs.200 crore each year.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Dayanidhi, Kalanithi fail to meet Karunanidhi
There was high drama at the CIT Colony residence of Chief Minister M.Karunanidhi, when his estranged nephews Dayanidhi Maran and Kalanithi Maran tried to meet him on Tuesday afternoon, but were not given access.
While the immediate family maintained that they had nothing to do with the inability of the Marans to greet Mr. Karunanidhi on his birthday, sources said it was the Chief Minister’s elder son, M.K. Azhagiri, who insisted that there be no such meeting.
Right from the morning, there were people close to Mr. Azhagiri at the Gopalapuram residence waiting to see if the Marans would show up. They did not. Later, the sources said, the Chief Minister’s daughter, Selvi, advised the brothers to go to the CIT colony residence.
The first meeting after the estrangement — between Mr.Kalanithi and the Chief Minister — also took place at the CIT colony residence, though the household itself is not supportive of the Marans. “It is easy to barge into the CIT colony house because unlike the Gopalapuram House [which is the residence of the mother of Mr.Azhagiri], there is no one to stop a family insider,” one source said.
While the immediate family maintained that they had nothing to do with the inability of the Marans to greet Mr. Karunanidhi on his birthday, sources said it was the Chief Minister’s elder son, M.K. Azhagiri, who insisted that there be no such meeting.
Right from the morning, there were people close to Mr. Azhagiri at the Gopalapuram residence waiting to see if the Marans would show up. They did not. Later, the sources said, the Chief Minister’s daughter, Selvi, advised the brothers to go to the CIT colony residence.
The first meeting after the estrangement — between Mr.Kalanithi and the Chief Minister — also took place at the CIT colony residence, though the household itself is not supportive of the Marans. “It is easy to barge into the CIT colony house because unlike the Gopalapuram House [which is the residence of the mother of Mr.Azhagiri], there is no one to stop a family insider,” one source said.
Friday, May 30, 2008
Mahindra defers Chennai tractor factory plan
Mahindra & Mahindra, the world's fourth largest tractor maker, has deferred its plan to build a Rs 400 crore tractor facility in Chennai on apprehensions that tractor sales may slow, a top company executive has said.
"We have postponed our plans for an integrated plant in Chennai which was supposed to come up inside the company's research facility following the downturn in the industry," Anjani Kumar Choudhari, president, farm equipment sector, Mahindra & Mahindra, said.
Mumbai-based Mahindra's tractor facility in the southern Indian city was expected to produce 145,000 units a year.
Indian auto makers are deferring plans to build new factories as demand for vehicles fall owing to high interest rates and rising fuel prices. The Reserve Bank has raised the cash reserve ratio nine times to 8.25 per cent since January 2007 to help Finance Minister P Chidambaram curb inflation.
On earlier occasions too, automotive projects of majors including truck and bus maker Ashok Leyland, two-wheeler leader Hero Honda had put their proposed greenfield ventures on hold on the back of a weakening market. Growth of commercial vehicles was near flat at just a 4 per cent rise in sales while sales of two-wheelers slumped to a negative growth of 8 per cent last fiscal.
"We are going to witness a flat to 5 per cent growth in sales of tractors during this year. Finance (availability) will be the key issue," admitted Choudhari. The industry sold 302,241 units last year as compared to 318,328 units sold in the previous year. The current financial year will be a tough season for tractor manufacturers, claim auto analysts tracking the segment.
According to the latest figures for April provided by M&M, the company saw a decline of 4.20 per cent in sales, selling just 8,679 units against 9,060 units in the same month of the previous year.
Growth in market share for the company (excluding that of Punjab Tractors) was negligible during the last year. The company maintained its full year domestic market share at 29.9 per cent. In addition the company saw a decline of 4.7 per cent in sales at 90,509 tractors during the same period even as the industry witnessed a decline of 5.1 per cent.
Punjab Tractors (PTL), which was bought over by M&M last year for nearly Rs 1,400 crore, has huge spare capacity at its plant. The brand produces just 28,000 tractors currently, less than half of its total installed capacity of 60,000 units a year. PTL branded tractors sells mostly in the northern market and has about 10 per cent market share.
"The reason we wanted to set up a base in Chennai was because of the relative lower presence of our brand in the southern market. We have facilities in the north, central and the west but not in the south (of the country)," Choudhari said.
Piyush Parag, analyst, Religare Securities, said, "There are major concerns over the financing part (of tractors). There was a steep rise in the NPAs (non-performing assets) last season and following this banks may reduce their exposure even further in the segment. In addition if the monsoon is irregular this year then sales of tractors will further fall." Rising material costs will also continue to dent the margins of the company during the year too. Last year M&M had passed on the full price hike in materials cost of Rs 15,000 to the customer. Costs of steel has doubled in the last three years claim industry experts. M&M's share price slipped by 2.26 per cent to close at Rs 592.50 a share on the Bombay Stock Exchange, as compared with yesterday's close of Rs 606.20 a share.
"We have postponed our plans for an integrated plant in Chennai which was supposed to come up inside the company's research facility following the downturn in the industry," Anjani Kumar Choudhari, president, farm equipment sector, Mahindra & Mahindra, said.
Mumbai-based Mahindra's tractor facility in the southern Indian city was expected to produce 145,000 units a year.
Indian auto makers are deferring plans to build new factories as demand for vehicles fall owing to high interest rates and rising fuel prices. The Reserve Bank has raised the cash reserve ratio nine times to 8.25 per cent since January 2007 to help Finance Minister P Chidambaram curb inflation.
On earlier occasions too, automotive projects of majors including truck and bus maker Ashok Leyland, two-wheeler leader Hero Honda had put their proposed greenfield ventures on hold on the back of a weakening market. Growth of commercial vehicles was near flat at just a 4 per cent rise in sales while sales of two-wheelers slumped to a negative growth of 8 per cent last fiscal.
"We are going to witness a flat to 5 per cent growth in sales of tractors during this year. Finance (availability) will be the key issue," admitted Choudhari. The industry sold 302,241 units last year as compared to 318,328 units sold in the previous year. The current financial year will be a tough season for tractor manufacturers, claim auto analysts tracking the segment.
According to the latest figures for April provided by M&M, the company saw a decline of 4.20 per cent in sales, selling just 8,679 units against 9,060 units in the same month of the previous year.
Growth in market share for the company (excluding that of Punjab Tractors) was negligible during the last year. The company maintained its full year domestic market share at 29.9 per cent. In addition the company saw a decline of 4.7 per cent in sales at 90,509 tractors during the same period even as the industry witnessed a decline of 5.1 per cent.
Punjab Tractors (PTL), which was bought over by M&M last year for nearly Rs 1,400 crore, has huge spare capacity at its plant. The brand produces just 28,000 tractors currently, less than half of its total installed capacity of 60,000 units a year. PTL branded tractors sells mostly in the northern market and has about 10 per cent market share.
"The reason we wanted to set up a base in Chennai was because of the relative lower presence of our brand in the southern market. We have facilities in the north, central and the west but not in the south (of the country)," Choudhari said.
Piyush Parag, analyst, Religare Securities, said, "There are major concerns over the financing part (of tractors). There was a steep rise in the NPAs (non-performing assets) last season and following this banks may reduce their exposure even further in the segment. In addition if the monsoon is irregular this year then sales of tractors will further fall." Rising material costs will also continue to dent the margins of the company during the year too. Last year M&M had passed on the full price hike in materials cost of Rs 15,000 to the customer. Costs of steel has doubled in the last three years claim industry experts. M&M's share price slipped by 2.26 per cent to close at Rs 592.50 a share on the Bombay Stock Exchange, as compared with yesterday's close of Rs 606.20 a share.
Virudhunagar betters its own record
With a success rate of 95.48 per cent, Virudhunagar district continued to reign supreme in the State in 10th examination (SSLC) overall pass percentage for the 22nd straight year.
In fact, the district has bettered its record registered in the previous years. Last year, 93.69 per cent of students had passed out. This year, 20,740 students out of 21,721 who appeared for the examinations have succeeded.
Chief Educational Officer S. Nagaraja Murugan attributed the success to the untiring efforts of teachers. “It is not just that more number of students have passed. But we have achieved more than that. The number of centum in subjects and the number of schools recording 100 per cent success rate too have gone up substantially.”
This year, the district had secured 858 centum, including one in English, as against mere 145 centum got in subjects last year. A total of 619 students had got maximum marks in Mathematics, 230 in Science and eight in Social Science.
Aruppukottai Educational District, comprising backward regions such as Tiruchuzhi and Narikudi, has bettered the Virudhunagar educational district.
In fact, the district has bettered its record registered in the previous years. Last year, 93.69 per cent of students had passed out. This year, 20,740 students out of 21,721 who appeared for the examinations have succeeded.
Chief Educational Officer S. Nagaraja Murugan attributed the success to the untiring efforts of teachers. “It is not just that more number of students have passed. But we have achieved more than that. The number of centum in subjects and the number of schools recording 100 per cent success rate too have gone up substantially.”
This year, the district had secured 858 centum, including one in English, as against mere 145 centum got in subjects last year. A total of 619 students had got maximum marks in Mathematics, 230 in Science and eight in Social Science.
Aruppukottai Educational District, comprising backward regions such as Tiruchuzhi and Narikudi, has bettered the Virudhunagar educational district.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
CBSE results: double delight for Chennai
After having topped the regions in the Central Board of Secondary Education Class XII examinations, it is a double delight for Chennai this year as it has obtained the highest overall pass percentage of 95.26 in the Class X results.
There has been an overall increase of 2.64 percentage points from 84.44 per cent in 2007 to 87.08 per cent this year.
For the Chennai region, the results were declared on Tuesday. Results for the other five regions – Delhi, Ajmer, Allahabad, Guwahati and Panchkula – were announced on Thursday.
“Girls have done better than boys. The pass percentage for girls is a high 87.96, while boys have secured 86.46. Last year, there was a neck-and-neck race between the two, but this year girls have surged ahead by 1.5 percentage points,” said CBSE chairman Ashok Ganguly at a press conference here on Thursday.
The overall pass percentage of regular students is 88.96 while that of private candidates is 26.34. As for the decline in overall pass percentage of private candidates from last year’s 26.74 per cent, Mr. Ganguly said: “Bulk of these candidates are from Delhi. The Delhi government should give appropriate guidance to these institutions. We have made suggestions to them. There could be a State open school to take care of these students.”
The pass percentage for candidates from Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas is the highest in the country with a remarkable 97.54 compared with 96.41 in 2007.
Kendriya Vidyalayas have secured an overall 96.07 per cent, up from 95.64 per cent.
There has been an overall increase of 2.64 percentage points from 84.44 per cent in 2007 to 87.08 per cent this year.
For the Chennai region, the results were declared on Tuesday. Results for the other five regions – Delhi, Ajmer, Allahabad, Guwahati and Panchkula – were announced on Thursday.
“Girls have done better than boys. The pass percentage for girls is a high 87.96, while boys have secured 86.46. Last year, there was a neck-and-neck race between the two, but this year girls have surged ahead by 1.5 percentage points,” said CBSE chairman Ashok Ganguly at a press conference here on Thursday.
The overall pass percentage of regular students is 88.96 while that of private candidates is 26.34. As for the decline in overall pass percentage of private candidates from last year’s 26.74 per cent, Mr. Ganguly said: “Bulk of these candidates are from Delhi. The Delhi government should give appropriate guidance to these institutions. We have made suggestions to them. There could be a State open school to take care of these students.”
The pass percentage for candidates from Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas is the highest in the country with a remarkable 97.54 compared with 96.41 in 2007.
Kendriya Vidyalayas have secured an overall 96.07 per cent, up from 95.64 per cent.
Two petitions against ‘Dasavatharam’ dismissed
The Madras High Court on Thursday dismissed two petitions against the film ‘Dasavatharam. The petitions had alleged that the film contained scenes which offended Hindus.
In its order, a Division Bench comprising Justices K.Venkataraman and M.Sathyanarayanan, said: “We are constrained to come to the conclusion that the apprehension of the petitioners at this stage before they could view the film could only be a surmise and without proof that there are certain scenes which will affect the Hindus, more particularly the Vaishnavites.”
“IPR not involved”
The Bench said freedom of expression guaranteed under Art.19 (1) could not be curtailed on mere assumptions of the petitioners that the film contained certain scenes which would hurt the sentiments of Hindus.
There was no Intellectual Property Rights involved in the use of the title ‘Dasavatharam.’ The persons who view the film are not so illiterate as to take a view that it is 10 ‘avatars’ (incarnations) of Lord Vishnu.
“We are confident that the people at large will knowthat the hero of the film Kamal Haasan is acting in 10 different roles and that is why the film is named Dasavatharam.”
The usage of the title would not affect the sentiments of Hindus.
In its order, a Division Bench comprising Justices K.Venkataraman and M.Sathyanarayanan, said: “We are constrained to come to the conclusion that the apprehension of the petitioners at this stage before they could view the film could only be a surmise and without proof that there are certain scenes which will affect the Hindus, more particularly the Vaishnavites.”
“IPR not involved”
The Bench said freedom of expression guaranteed under Art.19 (1) could not be curtailed on mere assumptions of the petitioners that the film contained certain scenes which would hurt the sentiments of Hindus.
There was no Intellectual Property Rights involved in the use of the title ‘Dasavatharam.’ The persons who view the film are not so illiterate as to take a view that it is 10 ‘avatars’ (incarnations) of Lord Vishnu.
“We are confident that the people at large will knowthat the hero of the film Kamal Haasan is acting in 10 different roles and that is why the film is named Dasavatharam.”
The usage of the title would not affect the sentiments of Hindus.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
“No need to write to Centre, Karnataka on executing Hogenakkal project”
There is no need for Tamil Nadu to write either to the Centre or to the Karnataka government on implementing the Hogenakkal drinking water project, which is proceeding on schedule, Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi asserted on Wednesday.
The Rs.1,334-crore water supply and the fluorosis mitigation project will benefit 3 municipalities, 17 town panchayats and 6755 habitations in 18 unions of Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri districts.
Mr. Karunanidhi said the timeline of the project remained unchanged.
The first part of the work related to selecting a project management consultant. For this, tenders had already been called in February 2008 and the last date for submission was end of March 2008. The finalisation of the consultant would be done in July.
The Rs.1,334-crore water supply and the fluorosis mitigation project will benefit 3 municipalities, 17 town panchayats and 6755 habitations in 18 unions of Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri districts.
Mr. Karunanidhi said the timeline of the project remained unchanged.
The first part of the work related to selecting a project management consultant. For this, tenders had already been called in February 2008 and the last date for submission was end of March 2008. The finalisation of the consultant would be done in July.
SSI, Unitech JV for township in Chennai
Urban infrastructure firm SSI has entered into a joint development agreement with a consortium of Unitech and Arihant Foundation to develop a 70-acre integrated township in Chennai.
SSI stated that the joint development venture, based on 43:57 revenue sharing model, is expected to generate Rs 2000 crore cash flow for the company.
With approximately 4000 units and a total build up area of 7 million sq.ft the project is expected to be completed over 7 years. The project will be mainly developed as a residential township with supportive retail and commercial space.
SSI stated that the joint development venture, based on 43:57 revenue sharing model, is expected to generate Rs 2000 crore cash flow for the company.
With approximately 4000 units and a total build up area of 7 million sq.ft the project is expected to be completed over 7 years. The project will be mainly developed as a residential township with supportive retail and commercial space.
Monday, May 26, 2008
Government drops move to privatise sand quarries
Bowing to the demand of its allies, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam government on Monday decided not to go ahead with the decision to privatise sand quarrying.
In a resolution adopted at the end of a meeting of political parties represented in the Assembly here, a resolution was adopted to the effect that the government would continue sand quarrying across the State. Trucks could be permitted to carry up to three units of sand and the law should be amended to ensure that sand was not smuggled to neighbouring States, it said.
A committee comprising secretaries of the Industries department, the PWD, Revenue and Home departments will be constituted to study the present system and present a report to the government.
The main Opposition party, the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, its ally, the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the Desiya Murpokku Dravidar Kazhagam stayed away from the meeting, protesting against the government move to privatise sand quarrying.
Sand quarrying was in private hands till October 2003. The AIADMK government took over quarrying in a bid to prevent overexploitation of the natural resource and to boost revenues. The DMK government continued this policy. It announced on May 19 that sand mining would be leased through tenders and open auction.
At the meeting on Monday, Congress Legislature Party leader D. Sudarssanam, who was highly critical of the government in the last Assembly session over the manner in which quarrying operations were being carried out, asserted that new problems would arise if the government leased quarries.
In a resolution adopted at the end of a meeting of political parties represented in the Assembly here, a resolution was adopted to the effect that the government would continue sand quarrying across the State. Trucks could be permitted to carry up to three units of sand and the law should be amended to ensure that sand was not smuggled to neighbouring States, it said.
A committee comprising secretaries of the Industries department, the PWD, Revenue and Home departments will be constituted to study the present system and present a report to the government.
The main Opposition party, the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, its ally, the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the Desiya Murpokku Dravidar Kazhagam stayed away from the meeting, protesting against the government move to privatise sand quarrying.
Sand quarrying was in private hands till October 2003. The AIADMK government took over quarrying in a bid to prevent overexploitation of the natural resource and to boost revenues. The DMK government continued this policy. It announced on May 19 that sand mining would be leased through tenders and open auction.
At the meeting on Monday, Congress Legislature Party leader D. Sudarssanam, who was highly critical of the government in the last Assembly session over the manner in which quarrying operations were being carried out, asserted that new problems would arise if the government leased quarries.
Hackers cracking mobile phones, warn experts
Much to the discomfort of mobile users, hackers, who are already wrecking websites and e-mails, are now targeting cell phones as well. Hackers are intruding mobile phones using hacking tools like spyware and spoofing, according to cyber experts.
Spyware is a tool which manipulates short message service (SMS) and allows them to be read by others, while spoofing, replaces mobile number of sender’s message, they said.
Explaining the functions of spyware, a Delhi-based cyber expert said, “A hacker sends an SMS to the targeted person. The person opens the message, installing spyware onto the device. The spyware, unknown to the victim, takes the SMS and forwards it to the hacker.”
Once installed, the hacker can monitor the ‘compromised’ phone call details and can even listen to the calls made or received by the user, Rajat Khare Director of Information security consulting firm Appin said.
However, it’s very difficult for the user to find out whether his/her phone has been hacked.
Besides spyware, SMS spoofing is another tool which hackers are widely using, Mr. Khare said.
Spoofing is used for changing the identity of source of SMS either with text or any desired number.
Spyware is a tool which manipulates short message service (SMS) and allows them to be read by others, while spoofing, replaces mobile number of sender’s message, they said.
Explaining the functions of spyware, a Delhi-based cyber expert said, “A hacker sends an SMS to the targeted person. The person opens the message, installing spyware onto the device. The spyware, unknown to the victim, takes the SMS and forwards it to the hacker.”
Once installed, the hacker can monitor the ‘compromised’ phone call details and can even listen to the calls made or received by the user, Rajat Khare Director of Information security consulting firm Appin said.
However, it’s very difficult for the user to find out whether his/her phone has been hacked.
Besides spyware, SMS spoofing is another tool which hackers are widely using, Mr. Khare said.
Spoofing is used for changing the identity of source of SMS either with text or any desired number.
Chennai Desalination project could be delayed
The commissioning of the 100-million litres a day (mld) desalination plant at Kattupalli near suburban Minjur is likely to be delayed by four months. It was scheduled to be commissioned in August this year.
Attributing the delay to unseasonal rain in March, Chennai Metrowater officials said about 70 per cent of the works had been completed. Dredging operation also could not be carried out due to rough sea. Dredging would facilitate laying of a separate pipeline to draw seawater from 10-metre-depth below sea level and discharge waste water, a Metrowater official said.
Though about 15 mld of water was to be supplied on completion of the first phase of the project, envisaged to be completed in May, the delay had pushed the project deadline to December, he said.
Chennai Water Desalination Limited, a special purpose vehicle formed by IVRCL Infrastructures and Projects Limited and its technical partner Befesa Construccion y Tecnologia Ambiental, Spain, started implementing the project on a DBOOT (design, build, own, operate and transfer) basis last year.
The official said work for constructing units such as sand filters and cartridge filters, used to remove minute particles as part of the preliminary treatment, was under way. The process to erect five reverse osmosis units, an important component in desalinating seawater, was also in progress. Each of the unit that had a capacity to treat 20 mld of seawater would be commissioned one after another during December, the official said.
About Rs.118 crore was expected to be spent on purchase of water from the Minjur plant.
Attributing the delay to unseasonal rain in March, Chennai Metrowater officials said about 70 per cent of the works had been completed. Dredging operation also could not be carried out due to rough sea. Dredging would facilitate laying of a separate pipeline to draw seawater from 10-metre-depth below sea level and discharge waste water, a Metrowater official said.
Though about 15 mld of water was to be supplied on completion of the first phase of the project, envisaged to be completed in May, the delay had pushed the project deadline to December, he said.
Chennai Water Desalination Limited, a special purpose vehicle formed by IVRCL Infrastructures and Projects Limited and its technical partner Befesa Construccion y Tecnologia Ambiental, Spain, started implementing the project on a DBOOT (design, build, own, operate and transfer) basis last year.
The official said work for constructing units such as sand filters and cartridge filters, used to remove minute particles as part of the preliminary treatment, was under way. The process to erect five reverse osmosis units, an important component in desalinating seawater, was also in progress. Each of the unit that had a capacity to treat 20 mld of seawater would be commissioned one after another during December, the official said.
About Rs.118 crore was expected to be spent on purchase of water from the Minjur plant.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Government revises admission norms for arts, science colleges
The State government has revised the admission guidelines for arts and science colleges from this academic year (2008-09) in view of the introduction of Choice Based Credit System (CBCS).
A G.O., dated May 10, was issued citing the procedures for admission of students to undergraduate/postgraduate courses in Government, aided and unaided arts and science colleges, an official in the Department of Collegiate Education here told The Hindu on Tuesday. Under the new system, colleges will have to prepare a rank list for admission to undergraduate courses out of 800 marks in subject components in the Plus Two examination.
“Colleges have been told to follow the revised guidelines in letter and spirit, and the particulars of how admissions should be made for various courses like B.A., B.Sc. and B.Com. have been sent to them by the Directorate,” said V. Swaminathan, Regional Joint Director of Collegiate Education.
Admission to Government colleges will be through counselling like last year. The general rule of calculating marks for the subject component for candidates who apply for undergraduate courses is mentioned in the latest guidelines.
The GO also cites the subjects that a student should have studied in Plus Two for becoming eligible for admission to a particular undergraduate course.
According to the GO, the last date for receipt of filled-in applications by colleges should be fixed as the 10th working day from the date of issue of Plus Two mark statement.
Procedures for sale and issue of application forms for undergraduate courses, selection committees, reservation rules and rank list preparation are extensively dealt with in the revised guidelines.
A G.O., dated May 10, was issued citing the procedures for admission of students to undergraduate/postgraduate courses in Government, aided and unaided arts and science colleges, an official in the Department of Collegiate Education here told The Hindu on Tuesday. Under the new system, colleges will have to prepare a rank list for admission to undergraduate courses out of 800 marks in subject components in the Plus Two examination.
“Colleges have been told to follow the revised guidelines in letter and spirit, and the particulars of how admissions should be made for various courses like B.A., B.Sc. and B.Com. have been sent to them by the Directorate,” said V. Swaminathan, Regional Joint Director of Collegiate Education.
Admission to Government colleges will be through counselling like last year. The general rule of calculating marks for the subject component for candidates who apply for undergraduate courses is mentioned in the latest guidelines.
The GO also cites the subjects that a student should have studied in Plus Two for becoming eligible for admission to a particular undergraduate course.
According to the GO, the last date for receipt of filled-in applications by colleges should be fixed as the 10th working day from the date of issue of Plus Two mark statement.
Procedures for sale and issue of application forms for undergraduate courses, selection committees, reservation rules and rank list preparation are extensively dealt with in the revised guidelines.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Sand quarries to be leased out
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Sand quarries to be leased out
Special Correspondent
CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu government on Monday announced that sand quarries in the State would be leased out through tenders and open auction, thus ending its monopoly.
The District Collectors have been empowered to float tenders and conduct auction. The new system would come into force in July, a State government release said.
In October 2, 2003, when the AIADMK was in power, it scrapped all existing sand quarrying leases in Tamil Nadu. The Public Works Department was given the responsibility of quarrying and selling sand to consumers though storage depots.
The DMK government, however, has decided to revert to the system that existed before October, 2003. A high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi decided to lease out quarries “with a view to expanding quarrying and selling sand.” It is also necessary to ensure intense monitoring of quarrying and protect drinking water sources, the government said. It was also decided to conduct a meeting of senior police officials in the State on May 25 at the Secretariat. Besides, a two-day conference of District Collectors and Superintendents of Police will be held on June 19 and 20 to discuss the law and order situation, the progress of development schemes and various government projects.
Advts: Retail Plus | Classifieds | Jobs | Obituary |
Front Page Printer Friendly Page Send this Article to a Friend
Sand quarries to be leased out
Special Correspondent
CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu government on Monday announced that sand quarries in the State would be leased out through tenders and open auction, thus ending its monopoly.
The District Collectors have been empowered to float tenders and conduct auction. The new system would come into force in July, a State government release said.
In October 2, 2003, when the AIADMK was in power, it scrapped all existing sand quarrying leases in Tamil Nadu. The Public Works Department was given the responsibility of quarrying and selling sand to consumers though storage depots.
The DMK government, however, has decided to revert to the system that existed before October, 2003. A high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi decided to lease out quarries “with a view to expanding quarrying and selling sand.” It is also necessary to ensure intense monitoring of quarrying and protect drinking water sources, the government said. It was also decided to conduct a meeting of senior police officials in the State on May 25 at the Secretariat. Besides, a two-day conference of District Collectors and Superintendents of Police will be held on June 19 and 20 to discuss the law and order situation, the progress of development schemes and various government projects.
Gold Quest case: police widen probe
Special police teams from the city have gone to Madurai and Hyderabad to inspect some properties and interrogate a few persons in connection with the Gold Quest Net case.
The decision follows an investigation that found that the promoters of the company had invested the money collected from those who joined its multi-level marketing scheme in immovable assets in Hyderabad, Madurai and a few other cities. The total value of the properties may be over Rs.150 crore, said Deputy Commissioner of Police G.Sampath Kumar.
Promoters and some senior company executives were arrested in the first week of this month and the police sealed its office in Chetpet here. Cash and valuables worth around Rs.20 crore were seized.
After a search of the residence of the key accused last week, the police seized incriminating documents.
Joint Commissioner of Police M.Ravi said the number of complaints from those who joined the company’s scheme is over 12,000.
Apart from those in the city, people from Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Puducherry have lodged complaints.
Company statement
Meanwhile, a press release issued on behalf of the Quest Net India on Saturday said the company would look into all complaints received by the authorities and all genuine/legitimate complaints will be settled.
The decision follows an investigation that found that the promoters of the company had invested the money collected from those who joined its multi-level marketing scheme in immovable assets in Hyderabad, Madurai and a few other cities. The total value of the properties may be over Rs.150 crore, said Deputy Commissioner of Police G.Sampath Kumar.
Promoters and some senior company executives were arrested in the first week of this month and the police sealed its office in Chetpet here. Cash and valuables worth around Rs.20 crore were seized.
After a search of the residence of the key accused last week, the police seized incriminating documents.
Joint Commissioner of Police M.Ravi said the number of complaints from those who joined the company’s scheme is over 12,000.
Apart from those in the city, people from Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Puducherry have lodged complaints.
Company statement
Meanwhile, a press release issued on behalf of the Quest Net India on Saturday said the company would look into all complaints received by the authorities and all genuine/legitimate complaints will be settled.
Friday, May 16, 2008
Civil Services topper from Khammam
Adapa Karthik of Khammam has topped the Civil Services examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission this year.
Mr. Karthik, son of an employee of a rural bank, is an MBBS graduate from the Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Wardha. He opted for Civil Services in the hope that it would give him ample scope to “contribute for development at the grassroots level”.
Mr. Karthik got selected twice for the Indian Police Service (166 rank in 2004 and 148 in 2006) and is already undergoing training at the SVP National Police Academy in Hyderabad. Topping the Civil Services examination is a “dream come true for me”.
Chennai to get parking meters shortly
The city will soon have parking meters to regulate on-street parking. A pilot scheme has been proposed on a one-km stretch in Pondy Bazaar.
The meters will be placed every 100 meters along parking lots. Vehicle owners have to pay the charges by inserting coins or currency into the slot and printing the tickets, which have to be prominently displayed. Vehicles without proper tickets will be towed away and fined.
The Chennai Corporation has drawn inspiration from Bangalore city, which introduced parking meters on Brigade Road in 2005.
Tenders have been called for supplying parking meters, each of which is expected to cost Rs.40,000. The pedestal meters will be placed on the pavement without obstructing pedestrian flow.
Parking meters have become necessary because the 104 Corporation parking lots in Chennai yield poor revenue. In 2005, they earned Rs.1,56,18,326, which came down to Rs.1,18,56,154 in 2007. This is much less than the revenue accruing from the far fewer number of car parking lots in private theatres and malls, which earn anything between Rs.40 lakh to 60 lakh a year. The Corporation’s parking lots are managed by TEXCO, an organisation of ex-servicemen, since 1996. The charges have been kept low. According to a source in the Corporation, the parking lots have not been auctioned because of the fear that contractors might harass users. Also, it was felt that there would be difficulty in controlling the collection and managing the agreement.
The meters will be placed every 100 meters along parking lots. Vehicle owners have to pay the charges by inserting coins or currency into the slot and printing the tickets, which have to be prominently displayed. Vehicles without proper tickets will be towed away and fined.
The Chennai Corporation has drawn inspiration from Bangalore city, which introduced parking meters on Brigade Road in 2005.
Tenders have been called for supplying parking meters, each of which is expected to cost Rs.40,000. The pedestal meters will be placed on the pavement without obstructing pedestrian flow.
Parking meters have become necessary because the 104 Corporation parking lots in Chennai yield poor revenue. In 2005, they earned Rs.1,56,18,326, which came down to Rs.1,18,56,154 in 2007. This is much less than the revenue accruing from the far fewer number of car parking lots in private theatres and malls, which earn anything between Rs.40 lakh to 60 lakh a year. The Corporation’s parking lots are managed by TEXCO, an organisation of ex-servicemen, since 1996. The charges have been kept low. According to a source in the Corporation, the parking lots have not been auctioned because of the fear that contractors might harass users. Also, it was felt that there would be difficulty in controlling the collection and managing the agreement.
Greenfield airport site feasible, says study
While the Airports Authority of India prepares to begin work on the modernisation and expansion of Chennai airport in the coming weeks, it has also taken the first steps towards starting work on its greenfield airport project in Sriperumbudur.
The AAI has conducted a techno-feasibility study, and an official told The Hindu that the site was feasible for the greenfield airport.
The proposal is currently with the International Civil Aviation Organisation awaiting approval. While the AAI initially planned to construct four runways on the site, it will now build two parallel runways. When completed, the project will take care of Chennai’s aviation requirements “for the next 50 years,” the official said.
The State government has identified 4,820.66 acres of land in Tirumangalam, Mambakkam, Irungulam, Vadamangalam, Padicherry, Sirukilai, Kilai and Sriperumbudur in Sriperumbudur taluk, and Tirupandiyur and Vayalur in Tiruvallur taluk for the project, and around 6,540 people and 1,078 homes will be dislocated by the development.
The lands marked out for the greenfield airport are close to the Chennai-Bangalore National Highway. A State government official said that developing connectivity to the proposed site will be strongly emphasised in the planning for the project as the government was keen on avoiding a repeat of the teething troubles faced in Bangalore and Hyderabad, where similar greenfield airports were set up on the outskirts of the two cities.
The AAI has conducted a techno-feasibility study, and an official told The Hindu that the site was feasible for the greenfield airport.
The proposal is currently with the International Civil Aviation Organisation awaiting approval. While the AAI initially planned to construct four runways on the site, it will now build two parallel runways. When completed, the project will take care of Chennai’s aviation requirements “for the next 50 years,” the official said.
The State government has identified 4,820.66 acres of land in Tirumangalam, Mambakkam, Irungulam, Vadamangalam, Padicherry, Sirukilai, Kilai and Sriperumbudur in Sriperumbudur taluk, and Tirupandiyur and Vayalur in Tiruvallur taluk for the project, and around 6,540 people and 1,078 homes will be dislocated by the development.
The lands marked out for the greenfield airport are close to the Chennai-Bangalore National Highway. A State government official said that developing connectivity to the proposed site will be strongly emphasised in the planning for the project as the government was keen on avoiding a repeat of the teething troubles faced in Bangalore and Hyderabad, where similar greenfield airports were set up on the outskirts of the two cities.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Karunanidhi calls for cooperation from all
In a poignant speech on the floor of the Assembly that moved several members to tears, Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi made an emotional appeal to all political parties to join him in the “unfinished task of making Tamil society grow and prosper in a united manner.”
Repeatedly referring to his frailty and also to a time when he would no longer be around, Mr. Karunanidhi, now 84, said that he felt the sudden urge to live long after he crossed 60.
“Since the days remaining [in my life] are fewer, the days I can serve people are restricted… It is because of this sad fact that I have wanted to want to live longer,” he said, adding that he was constantly looking after his physical well being.
One huge desire he had now is that he wanted to fade away from the scene with the satisfaction of having worked hard and untiringly; and with everyone in true camaraderie. Mr. Karunanidhi made it clear that when he referred to the allies in the process of taking the Tamil society forward, he did not merely mean the allies of the DMK: it included the parties that were in the Opposition now too. Requesting them to uphold values of humanism, he said that the greatest tribute that he could have was for everyone to work towards this end, taking to heart the “pleadings” of “this small man.”
No birthday celebrations
He chose the day his government completed two years in office to declare that he will not celebrate his 85th birthday on June 3. On Tuesday morning, after reaching the Secretariat and before entering the Assembly, he told his secretary that he would not be in Chennai in the first week of June.
He attributed his desire to stay away to his “mental and physical health.” He appealed to cadres not to come to meet him on that day.
Only after the appeal reached Murasoli, the office of the party organ, did senior Ministers come to know of it. But no one dared to ask him.
In the Assembly, Finance Minister K. Anbazhagan, replying to the debate on the demands for grants for the Tamil development and Public departments, said that even when Mr. Karunanidhi was away, he would be working. The last time he left town to take rest produced ‘Tholkappiya Poonga,’ an explanatory work on the difficult grammar text Tholkappiyam.
Sitting next to him, Electricity Minister, Arcot N.Veeraswami, gestured and said that no one could prevent people like him from celebrating the Chief Minister’s birthday.
JAIPUR 60 killed, 150 injured as terror strikes Pink City
Terror struck the Pink City for the first time on Tuesday evening as serial blasts killed at least 60 people and injured more than 150. Starting around 7.30 p.m. there were nine or 10 blasts within 15 minutes at six crowded places, including in the vicinity of two Hanuman temples, in the Walled City area.
Rajasthan Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria confirmed 60 dead and 150 injured though unofficial sources said the casualties could be higher.
Eyewitnesses said they could count 60 bodies in the overflowing mortuary of the City’s leading hospital, Sawai Man Singh. Some bodies were reportedly kept in the satellite hospital, Kanwatia, and a private hospital, Santokbha Durlabhji Memorial.
The blasts caused panic in the entire city while the authorities sealed off the Walled City. No traffic was allowed through its historic gates. The communication system also was jammed with mobiles not giving out signals.
The former Rajasthan Chief Minister, Ashok Gehlot, who spoke to Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil, said the Centre had assured the State authorities all possible help to handle the situation. Union Minister of State for Home Jaiswal is reaching here on Wednesday.
Director-General Police A.S. Gill told this correspondent that forensic experts were still verifying the nature of the explosives. He did not confirm the use of RDX but said high intensity explosives were used in the bombs.
The blasts outside the temples targeted the devotees who gather in large numbers on Tuesdays. One temple is at Sanganeri Gate, while the other is at Chandpole.
The Chandpole blast was said to be of less intensity while the explosion on Maniharon ka Rasta near the victory tower, Sargasuli at Tripolia, was the most powerful.
Rajasthan Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria confirmed 60 dead and 150 injured though unofficial sources said the casualties could be higher.
Eyewitnesses said they could count 60 bodies in the overflowing mortuary of the City’s leading hospital, Sawai Man Singh. Some bodies were reportedly kept in the satellite hospital, Kanwatia, and a private hospital, Santokbha Durlabhji Memorial.
The blasts caused panic in the entire city while the authorities sealed off the Walled City. No traffic was allowed through its historic gates. The communication system also was jammed with mobiles not giving out signals.
The former Rajasthan Chief Minister, Ashok Gehlot, who spoke to Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil, said the Centre had assured the State authorities all possible help to handle the situation. Union Minister of State for Home Jaiswal is reaching here on Wednesday.
Director-General Police A.S. Gill told this correspondent that forensic experts were still verifying the nature of the explosives. He did not confirm the use of RDX but said high intensity explosives were used in the bombs.
The blasts outside the temples targeted the devotees who gather in large numbers on Tuesdays. One temple is at Sanganeri Gate, while the other is at Chandpole.
The Chandpole blast was said to be of less intensity while the explosion on Maniharon ka Rasta near the victory tower, Sargasuli at Tripolia, was the most powerful.
Realty bites tech hubs in Bangalore, Chennai
The stock of unoccupied properties with real estate developers in the main technology hubs of Bangalore and Chennai is mounting and indications are that their problems will only get worse as software companies head towards greener pastures.
In Bangalore’s Whitefield suburb, once a magnet for IT firms, supply outstripped absorption by 300,000 sq ft in 2007 and about 8% of the developed area remained vacant, data from real estate consultancy Cushman & Wakefield (C&W) show. Prices are stagnating and the situation is deteriorating. In the first three months of 2008, the demand-supply mismatch was more than a million sq ft.
If Whitefield is in a bad way, the Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR) technology cluster on the outskirts of Chennai is deep in the doldrums, with just nine deals in the whole of 2007. Of the four million sq ft that came into the market last year, only 1.7 million sq ft were absorbed even as rentals fell by 18% and the vacancy rate was up to 11%, again according to C&W data. Most of the more than half a million sq ft that entered the market between January and March have gone abegging.
Property developers’ greed must take a major portion of the blame for the current plight, even insiders say. “The key factor contributing to the oversupply is the consistent overpricing of projects in both micromarkets. Developers who priced projects at Rs 4,000 per sq ft were unknowingly killing their golden goose in a sense,” Shriram Properties managing director M Murali said.
In Bangalore’s Whitefield suburb, once a magnet for IT firms, supply outstripped absorption by 300,000 sq ft in 2007 and about 8% of the developed area remained vacant, data from real estate consultancy Cushman & Wakefield (C&W) show. Prices are stagnating and the situation is deteriorating. In the first three months of 2008, the demand-supply mismatch was more than a million sq ft.
If Whitefield is in a bad way, the Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR) technology cluster on the outskirts of Chennai is deep in the doldrums, with just nine deals in the whole of 2007. Of the four million sq ft that came into the market last year, only 1.7 million sq ft were absorbed even as rentals fell by 18% and the vacancy rate was up to 11%, again according to C&W data. Most of the more than half a million sq ft that entered the market between January and March have gone abegging.
Property developers’ greed must take a major portion of the blame for the current plight, even insiders say. “The key factor contributing to the oversupply is the consistent overpricing of projects in both micromarkets. Developers who priced projects at Rs 4,000 per sq ft were unknowingly killing their golden goose in a sense,” Shriram Properties managing director M Murali said.
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