ரஷ்ய பெண்ணை கவர்ந்த பெருமாள் : மதம் மாறி புகழ் பரப்ப முடிவு

ராமநாதபுரம் : நடனம் கற்க இந்தியா வந்த ரஷ்ய யூதர் இன இளம்பெண், பெருமாளின் பெருமைகளால் வைணவத்திற்கு தன்னை அர்ப்பணிக்க முடிவு செய்துள்ளார்.

ரஷ்யாவின் மாஸ்கோவைச் சேர்ந்தவர் தார்யா(20). எம்.ஏ., உளவியல் படித்து வரும் இவருக்கு, "குச்சுப்புடி' நடனம் மீது மோகம் ஏற்பட்டது. இதற்காக இந்தியா வந்த தார்யா, கடந்த மூன்று ஆண்டுகளாக சென்னையில் கலைமாமணி சைலஜாவிடம் குச்சுப்புடி நடனம் கற்று வருகிறார். இந்த காலகட்டத்தில், நடனத்தில் வரும் அபிநயங்களை அறிய முயன்ற போது, பெருமாளின் பெருமைகள் தெரிய நேர்ந்தது. அதில் கவரப்பட்ட தார்யா, வைணவத்தில் தன்னை இணைத்துக்கொள்ள விரும்பினார். இதற்காக தமிழகத்திலுள்ள பல்வேறு வைணவ தலங்களுக்கு சென்று, பெருமாளை வழிபட்ட பின், தன் முறையான இணைப்பை சென்னை அகோபிலா மடம் ஜீயர்கள் முன்னிலையில் நடத்தவிருக்கிறார். ராமநாதபுரம் மாவட்டம் வந்த தார்யா, திருப்புல்லாணி ஆதிஜெகநாதப் பெருமாள், சேதுக்கரை, ராமநாதபுரம் கோதண்டராமர் கோவில்களில் வழிபாடு நடத்தினார். தொடர்ந்து கோதண்டராமர் கோவிலில் தார்யாவின் குச்சுப்புடி நடனம் நடந்தது. இதை, ஏராளமானோர் கண்டு ரசித்தனர்.

தார்யா கூறியதாவது: நடனம் மீது எழுந்த ஆசையில் இந்தியா வந்த என்னை, பெருமாளின் பெருமைகள் கவர்ந்தன. அவர் சார்ந்த வைணவ மதத்தை பின்பற்றி, நடனம் மூலம், அவரது புகழை பரப்புவதே என் எதிர்கால திட்டம். இதற்காக, அனைத்து வைணவ தலங்களுக்கும் சென்று வழிபட்டு வருகிறேன். அகோபிலா மடம் ஜீயர்களிடம் முறைப்படி முத்திரை தானம் பெற்று, வைணவத்தில் முறையாக இணைய உள்ளேன். இவ்வாறு தார்யா கூறினார்.

2G spectrum: Supreme Court issues notices to Centre, Raja

The Supreme Court today asked the Centre and Union Telecom Minister A. Raja for a response on a plea seeking the court to monitor a Central Bureau of Investigation probe into alleged irregularities in the 2008 sale of 2G spectrum licences.

A bench comprising Justices G. S. Singhvi and A. K. Ganguly sent notices to the Telecom Ministry and Mr. Raja and asked for replies within 10 days.

The bench also issued notices to the CBI, Enforcement Directorate and Income Tax Department on the petition filed by the Centre for Public Interest Litigation (CPIL), an NGO, and others.

The petitioners challenged the May 25 decision of the Delhi High Court dismissing its plea to monitor the CBI probe into the alleged role of the Union Communications Minister in the sale of 2G spectrum licences in 2008.

Advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for CPIL, alleged that despite having documents showing an alleged nexus between Mr. Raja and others, the CBI was not going ahead with the probe in the matter.

The petitioners alleged that the DoT, under the Ministership of Mr. Raja, had given away 2G spectrum to 122 operators at a throwaway price of Rs. 1,658 crore for pan-India licences on a first-come-first-served basis in January, 2008.

Mr. Raja was expected to take the auction route for allotting the 2G licences to telecom service providers, they said.

Bodies recovered

After a prolonged search, Fire Service and Rescue Department personnel today recovered the bodies of two youths who drowned in a temple pond at Melmalaiyanur near here on Sunday. Police sources said that a group of devotees Bangalore had came on a pilgrimage to the Melamalaiyanur temple on Sunday. Some of them got into the pond named Agni Theertham for a holy dip. Two of them, N. Viswanathan (18) and R. Ramesh (17) got drowned.

The fire service personnel recovered the bodies on Monday.

Ashok Leyland to open more driving schools

Ashok Leyland will open five more driving schools in different parts of the country to conduct professional training programmes, its Managing Director R. Seshasayee has said.

Plans have been made to open schools in Orissa, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Haryana.

The firm had approached the State governments seeking permission to open the schools, the Managing Director told reporters here on Monday.

“The firm had initiated a number of programmes for the welfare of the drivers. Opening driving schools and the launch of scholarship scheme for the children of the drivers are some of the initiatives taken by the company. The firm currently has driving schools in two places, including Namakkal. One more school will be opened in Tamil Nadu,” he said.

Coimbatore Corpn. demolishes unauthorised structures

Unauthorised structures coming up on an apartment premises in the city, after these were demolished earlier by the Coimbatore Corporation, were pulled down again by its demolition squad on Monday.

There were two instances of violation at the apartment premises on West Ponnurangam Road at R.S. Puram.

First, unauthorised structures were being built on the parking space earmarked in the building plan approved by the Corporation. Second, a totally unapproved three-storey apartment was also being built on whatever open space was left. In the process, it encroached upon the mandatory setback space.

Both violations were detected four months ago and the structures demolished immediately. But, these were being built again.

Corporation Commissioner Anshul Mishra made it clear that the civic body was upset at the way its authority and the rules were challenged by persons constructing these structures, despite the action taken four months ago.

“We will not keep quiet as this is a serious issue. We will take severe action because no regard has been shown for rules,” he said. An official in the squad said that during the action taken earlier, the owners of the building were told of the violations.

Four months later, the totally unauthorised building had been constructed up to the first floor and pillars had been raised for the second floor. The aim was to build a three-storey apartment by encroaching upon the setback space also. Besides, the parking lot in the old building was again turning into a flat.

“There will be periodical inspection of buildings under construction across the city, to know whether these conformed to the building rules,” the Commissioner said. The setback space should be provided.

“Government should extend scholarship to all students”

The education scholarship given to students of minority communities should be extended to deserving students from all communities, BJP's spokesperson Nirmala Seetharaman said on Monday.

She was here to take part in the agitation organised by her party in Coimbatore against the education policy of the State government “discriminating” other students including Hindu Dalits.

Talking to reporters at the party headquarters, she said Tamil Nadu, the State of Kamaraj, who ensured universal free education, could not follow such a discriminatory policy.

“The government should extend the scholarship to all students to meet the criteria prescribed for the same,” she said, adding that the protest in Coimbatore and Tirupur received good response from the general public.

Mrs. Seetharaman said the BJP's Central leadership had decided to highlight the issue in Tamil Nadu.

Radhapuram bus stand named after Kamaraj

Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi on Monday ordered that the Radhapuram bus stand in Tirunelveli district be named after former Chief Minister K. Kamaraj.

Making an announcement, the Chief Minister, in an official release, referred to the demand in certain quarters that the bus stand be named after Kamaraj.

Noting that two persons were on a fast [last week] at the Satyamurti Bhavan, the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee headquarters, in support of the demand and were arrested on a complaint given by the headquarters secretary of the party, Mr Karunanidhi said he had ordered their release.

The Chief Minister pointed out that the bus stand was set up at a cost of Rs. 77 lakh on the initiative of the local Member of Legislative Assembly M. Appavu, who belongs to the ruling party.

It was nine months ago that the issue over the naming of the bus stand arose. At that time, the Chief Minister clarified that the government had not issued any order naming the Radhapuram bus stand after his parents, Muthuvelar and Anjugathammal.

As for the statues of his parents, he had explained then that the local MLA had borne the expenses for their installation and maintenance. The authorities had given permission for the installation on condition that this should not pose any difficulty to vehicular movement. Mr Karunanidhi had also directed the district administration that the statues need not be unveiled then.

When Deputy Chief Minister M. K. Stalin declared open the bus stand in October, he refrained from unveiling the statues in view of the Chief Minister's directive. A month later, a host of dignitaries, including Assembly Speaker R. Avudaiappan and Ministers T.P.M. Mohideen Khan and Poongothai, garlanded the statues.

B.E. civil, mechanical courses in Tamil from coming academic year

CHENNAI: Tamil as a medium of instruction will be introduced in B.E civil and mechanical courses in colleges affiliated to Anna University from the coming academic year on an experimental measure. Tamil Nadu will be a pioneer in the country in providing engineering courses in the mother tongue, Higher Education Minister K. Ponmudy told the Assembly on Thursday.

Replying to a discussion on demands pertaining to his department, the Minister said the Tamil Nadu State Council for Higher Education was preparing the textbooks.

For the convenience of students, question papers would be both in English and Tamil and students would have the option of answering in Tamil or English. These measures would encourage Tamil medium students in higher secondary schools to join engineering colleges.

Hereafter, it would not be possible to obtain a degree in arts and science subjects without studying Tamil owing to introduction of the choice-based credit system. Tamil had to be taken as one subject in undergraduate courses and degrees would be awarded only if the student passed in Tamil.

In view of the demand for polytechnic courses, it was proposed to start eight government polytechnic colleges in Dharmapuri, Karur, Perambalur, Theni, Tiruvarur,Tiruvannamalai, Madurai and Villupuram districts.

Mr. Ponmudy said the government had directed all universities, except Anna University, to complete their examination schedules before April 15 every year and declare results by May 31 from the coming academic year to enable students of one university in the State to apply for postgraduate courses in other universities.

Claiming that a silent revolution was on in higher education in Tamil Nadu, the Minister said there was a steep increase in enrolment of students in higher education in the last four years. From 2.82 lakh students enrolled in academic year 2005-06, enrolment had increased to 5.42 lakh in 2009-10. This included students admitted to various arts, science, polytechnic and engineering colleges.

The government's aim was to achieve the gross enrolment ratio (GER) of 25 per cent by 2020.

Replying to Congress member S. Peter Alphonse's demand for action against deemed universities, which were collecting exorbitant fees and admitting students much more than the prescribed numbers, the Minister said the State had no powers as they were all controlled by the University Grants Commission. Unless education was brought from the concurrent to State list it was not possible to take action against them.

Anna University-Madurai would start functioning from the coming academic year and colleges in Madurai, Dindigul, Theni, Ramanathapuram and Sivaganaga districts would come under its jurisdiction.

Science park

Other announcements made by the Minister were a science park in the name of Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi in Vellore at a cost of Rs.298 lakh, development of infrastructural facilities in 19 government colleges at a cost of Rs.188.99 lakh, construction of additional laboratories at a cost of Rs.200 lakh in 10 government colleges, construction of additional classrooms in government colleges, a world class auditorium in Madurai-Kamaraj University at a cost of Rs.700 lakh and new library buildings in 18 government colleges at a cost of Rs.1,080 lakh.

B.E. civil, mechanical courses in Tamil from coming academic year

CHENNAI: Tamil as a medium of instruction will be introduced in B.E civil and mechanical courses in colleges affiliated to Anna University from the coming academic year on an experimental measure. Tamil Nadu will be a pioneer in the country in providing engineering courses in the mother tongue, Higher Education Minister K. Ponmudy told the Assembly on Thursday.

Replying to a discussion on demands pertaining to his department, the Minister said the Tamil Nadu State Council for Higher Education was preparing the textbooks.

For the convenience of students, question papers would be both in English and Tamil and students would have the option of answering in Tamil or English. These measures would encourage Tamil medium students in higher secondary schools to join engineering colleges.

Hereafter, it would not be possible to obtain a degree in arts and science subjects without studying Tamil owing to introduction of the choice-based credit system. Tamil had to be taken as one subject in undergraduate courses and degrees would be awarded only if the student passed in Tamil.

In view of the demand for polytechnic courses, it was proposed to start eight government polytechnic colleges in Dharmapuri, Karur, Perambalur, Theni, Tiruvarur,Tiruvannamalai, Madurai and Villupuram districts.

Mr. Ponmudy said the government had directed all universities, except Anna University, to complete their examination schedules before April 15 every year and declare results by May 31 from the coming academic year to enable students of one university in the State to apply for postgraduate courses in other universities.

Claiming that a silent revolution was on in higher education in Tamil Nadu, the Minister said there was a steep increase in enrolment of students in higher education in the last four years. From 2.82 lakh students enrolled in academic year 2005-06, enrolment had increased to 5.42 lakh in 2009-10. This included students admitted to various arts, science, polytechnic and engineering colleges.

The government's aim was to achieve the gross enrolment ratio (GER) of 25 per cent by 2020.

Replying to Congress member S. Peter Alphonse's demand for action against deemed universities, which were collecting exorbitant fees and admitting students much more than the prescribed numbers, the Minister said the State had no powers as they were all controlled by the University Grants Commission. Unless education was brought from the concurrent to State list it was not possible to take action against them.

Anna University-Madurai would start functioning from the coming academic year and colleges in Madurai, Dindigul, Theni, Ramanathapuram and Sivaganaga districts would come under its jurisdiction.

Science park

Other announcements made by the Minister were a science park in the name of Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi in Vellore at a cost of Rs.298 lakh, development of infrastructural facilities in 19 government colleges at a cost of Rs.188.99 lakh, construction of additional laboratories at a cost of Rs.200 lakh in 10 government colleges, construction of additional classrooms in government colleges, a world class auditorium in Madurai-Kamaraj University at a cost of Rs.700 lakh and new library buildings in 18 government colleges at a cost of Rs.1,080 lakh.

Fire safety awareness programme launched

CHENNAI: To improve the preparedness of occupants of multi-storeyed buildings in the event of a fire accident, a ‘High-rise safety programme' was held here on Tuesday.

The event, organised by St. John Safety and Health Society and SSI Development Society in the backdrop of the recent fire tragedies in Bangalore and Kolkata, is a run-up to the Fire Safety Week.

Pointing out that most high density commercial establishments in the city are not safe enough, Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services Director R. Nataraj said, “Any building that is taller than 15 meters is categorised as a high-rise building. Such buildings must conduct regular awareness drills and also an annual fire safety audit. But this is not being widely implemented.”

According to National Crime Records Bureau statistics, seven per cent of accident deaths are fire related. Last year, 21,840 fire accidents in Tamil Nadu resulted in the death of 127 persons.

Stressing that simple measures such as using fire retardant casing for electrical wiring could greatly reduce the chance of a spark spreading rapidly, Mr. Nataraj said, “small oversights lead to big tragedies. Close to 70 per cent of fire accidents are caused due to electrical short circuit.”

He said that in order to improve awareness levels, plans are afoot to teach basic safety measures to small teams of students in all 48,000 government schools in the State. In turn, the team members would impart training to other children.

“We also want to initiate fire brigades at college-level,” he said.

Builders Association of India (South) Chairman M. Mohan said, “Apart from builders strictly adhering to safety requirements, occupants must also participate and sustain the efforts. Fire exit stairwells should not be the place where unwanted items get dumped. Building associations must also insist on dedicated lift operators.”

Mr. Nataraj released a handbook detailing first aid measures and other safety related aspects.

Census 2011 from June

CHENNAI: Enumeration for the Census of India 2011 in Chennai city limits will commence in June.
Chennai Corporation Commissioner, Rajesh Lakhoni, said this in an interaction with media persons on Saturday. He was speaking after attending a meeting chaired by Director of Census Operations, S.C. Gopalakrishnan, with the civic body zonal officers to discuss the procedure for the Census.
Over 8,000 staff from Central and State governments and teachers from Corporation schools and private schools would participate.
Each person would cover 150 households, and in the initial survey, get the number of members in each family. The details would be collected within two months and the operations would be monitored by 1,500 supervisors, Mr.Lakhoni added.
The enumerators would use ward-level digital maps that have been prepared utilising GIS. Currently such maps are available for 114 wards.

MLA arrested

CHENNAI: The Sholinghur Congress MLA, Arul Anbarasu, and 30 others were arrested for burning effigies of Shiv Sena leaders Bal Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray in Teynampet on Saturday.
According to police, they raised slogans against the Sena leaders for showing black flags during the visit of Congress MP Rahul Gandhi to Mumbai. They were released in the evening.