As part of its ongoing endeavour to decongest Coimbatore City and to plan its future growth, the administration is in the final stages of drafting a Master Plan for Coimbatore City, for implementation by 2007. The previous master plan was drafted in 1994. The plan should have been reviewed once in five years. Though the survey was completed two years ago, the exercise for a draft master plan got underway only recently.
On directions from the District Collector, Neeraj Mittal, the Joint Director of Local Planning Authority, S.A. Balasubramanian, met with various associations to elicit their suggestions which will be incorporated in the Master Plan. The officials along with the Corporation Commissioner, P. Muthuveeran, inspected sites for the two proposed link roads - connecting Avanashi Road with Tiruchi Road and Mettuppalayam Road - to decongest the existing city roads. The plan included proposals for outer-ring roads and inner-ring roads (80 feet and 100 feet) to filter the out-bound traffic and to prevent the City roads from getting choked.
It also included outer ring roads from Kalapatti to Saravanampatti and another from Thudialur via Somayampalayam, Vadavalli and Veerakeralam. A consultancy firm from Chennai conducted a traffic survey for identifying the pockets that required bridges and flyovers.
The plan includes a proposal for a truck terminal near Karumathampatti besides bus terminals at a few suburbs where buses are now being parked along the roadside.
Subways have been proposed at Gandhipuram connecting the Central Bus Stand and Town Bus stand, besides one on Avanashi Road - between PSG Tech and Krishnammal College - and one on Oppanakkara Street. Funds may not be a constraint since town and country planning can fund road projects in addition to the resources from Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) scheme for other infrastructure projects. Under the Master Plan 24 per cent of the land is to be classified for industrial purpose (enhanced following industry feedback), 33.5 per cent for residential purpose and 0.9 per cent for commercial purpose.
Courtesy: The Hindu
Saturday, October 07, 2006
More capacity for TN telecom circle
With BSNL deciding to provide mobile connections to all villages having populations of more than 1,000, the Tamil Nadu telecom circle would get an additional capacity of 42 lakh connections, under Phase Five, a senior official said.
Tenders for the Phase V project has already been floated and the Coimbatore SSA would get nearly 4.5 lakh mobile connections, which would be implemented in three sub-phases, Shahjahan, General Manager and in-charge-PGM, Coimbatore telecom, told reporters here.
As the mobile connections were being provided on demand at present, Tamil Nadu circle has more than 20 lakh connections, he said.
Coimbatore telecom has at present 214 cell towers, Shahjahan said, adding, work was in progress to commission another eight towers and an additional 26 towers have been allotted to further improve the coverage along NH 47.
Mini exchanges would be installed in peripheral areas to reduce the loop length in order to provide broadband connections, he said
Source: Chennai online
Tenders for the Phase V project has already been floated and the Coimbatore SSA would get nearly 4.5 lakh mobile connections, which would be implemented in three sub-phases, Shahjahan, General Manager and in-charge-PGM, Coimbatore telecom, told reporters here.
As the mobile connections were being provided on demand at present, Tamil Nadu circle has more than 20 lakh connections, he said.
Coimbatore telecom has at present 214 cell towers, Shahjahan said, adding, work was in progress to commission another eight towers and an additional 26 towers have been allotted to further improve the coverage along NH 47.
Mini exchanges would be installed in peripheral areas to reduce the loop length in order to provide broadband connections, he said
Source: Chennai online
Castrol sets up new bike service centre in Coimbatore
Automotive lubricant manufacturer Castrol India (CIL) has opened a multi-brand motorcycle service centre styled Castrol BikeZone in Coimbatore, reports Business Line.
The company hopes to increase the coverage to 15 cities by the end of 2006, from current 37 Castrol BikeZones set up in eight cities in the country, including three in Tamil Nadu (Chennai, Tiruchi and Coimbatore).
Parinjay, Business Head, Castrol BikeZone division, said that the opening of the service outlet was an attempt by Castrol to go beyond just lubricants in bike care.
He further informed that the three-tiered service menu also would spare the customers from any surprises at the time of billing and personalised attention and transparency in service were the core principles of the business.
Source: myiris.com
The company hopes to increase the coverage to 15 cities by the end of 2006, from current 37 Castrol BikeZones set up in eight cities in the country, including three in Tamil Nadu (Chennai, Tiruchi and Coimbatore).
Parinjay, Business Head, Castrol BikeZone division, said that the opening of the service outlet was an attempt by Castrol to go beyond just lubricants in bike care.
He further informed that the three-tiered service menu also would spare the customers from any surprises at the time of billing and personalised attention and transparency in service were the core principles of the business.
Source: myiris.com
Thursday, October 05, 2006
Classic Polo's showroom in Coimbatore
The Tirupur-based, Rs. 225 crore Royal Classic Group opened its second exclusive showroom here on Monday. According to a company release, this is the 26th exclusive showroom of Classic Polo and it plans to add 20 more in the next three months in South India. According to its Executive Director, R. Shivram, the company proposes to have totally 60 exclusive outlets across the country by the end of this fiscal.
Source : The Hindu
Source : The Hindu
Lakshmi Mills turns to western brands
Coimbatore based Lakshmi Mills Company Limited on Monday launched its western casual wear brand, Tychre Life.
Addressing press persons, N Jaychander, vice president, Lakshmi Mills said that the garments were crafted from super soft micro modal fiber from Lenzing AG, Austria blended with cotton.
For women and Kids, Tyche Life has a range of well embroidered and designed T - shirts and tops. And for men there are polos in bright European colours.
S Bhagyashree of Soma Fashions, brand managers for Tyche Life, said the material with which the garments were made absorbed sweat faster than cotton and gave a next to the skin feeling due to its softness.
She said that 70 per cent of the garments were exclusively designed for ladies and the remaining for children and men. The garments are tested in Hong Kong-based Lenzing labs and given quality approved swing tags like the ones given in European market.
The products would be available for sale at the premium outlets at a price range of Rs 400 to Rs 1500.
Source: News Today Net
Addressing press persons, N Jaychander, vice president, Lakshmi Mills said that the garments were crafted from super soft micro modal fiber from Lenzing AG, Austria blended with cotton.
For women and Kids, Tyche Life has a range of well embroidered and designed T - shirts and tops. And for men there are polos in bright European colours.
S Bhagyashree of Soma Fashions, brand managers for Tyche Life, said the material with which the garments were made absorbed sweat faster than cotton and gave a next to the skin feeling due to its softness.
She said that 70 per cent of the garments were exclusively designed for ladies and the remaining for children and men. The garments are tested in Hong Kong-based Lenzing labs and given quality approved swing tags like the ones given in European market.
The products would be available for sale at the premium outlets at a price range of Rs 400 to Rs 1500.
Source: News Today Net
LIC observes social security month
The Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), Coimbatore Division, on Monday organised a function to mark the observance of October as a social security month. V. Krishnaswamy, General Manager of Indian Overseas Bank and R. Palaniswamy - Senior Divisional Manager of LIC of India, Coimbatore Division, took part in the celebrations. There was a slide presentation on the salient features of Janashree Bima Yojana.
Janashree Bima Yojana is a scheme specially designed for people below poverty line. Persons engaged in specific occupations such as milk producers, rickshaw pullers, auto drivers, construction workers, farm labourers, handloom weavers, agricultural workers, plantation workers, self-help group members can avail the benefits of this scheme. The members could form a group of more than 25 and through NGOs or self-help groups could join this scheme. The annual premium is Rs. 200 only. Out of which, Rs. 100 is subsidised by the Government of India and the individual policyholder will have to pay only Rs. 100 a year. In case of natural death the claim paid will be Rs. 30,000 and in the case of accident death claim amount will be Rs. 75,000. Amount paid due to permanent disability is Rs. 75,000 and it will be Rs. 37,500 for partial disability. Apart from this, a scholarship amount of Rs. 300 per quarter will be paid to children of the members of the scheme, who are studying in Standard 9 to12.
Source: The Hindu
Janashree Bima Yojana is a scheme specially designed for people below poverty line. Persons engaged in specific occupations such as milk producers, rickshaw pullers, auto drivers, construction workers, farm labourers, handloom weavers, agricultural workers, plantation workers, self-help group members can avail the benefits of this scheme. The members could form a group of more than 25 and through NGOs or self-help groups could join this scheme. The annual premium is Rs. 200 only. Out of which, Rs. 100 is subsidised by the Government of India and the individual policyholder will have to pay only Rs. 100 a year. In case of natural death the claim paid will be Rs. 30,000 and in the case of accident death claim amount will be Rs. 75,000. Amount paid due to permanent disability is Rs. 75,000 and it will be Rs. 37,500 for partial disability. Apart from this, a scholarship amount of Rs. 300 per quarter will be paid to children of the members of the scheme, who are studying in Standard 9 to12.
Source: The Hindu
Priority for Coimbatore airport expansion sought
Coimbatore MP K. Subbarayan has appealed to Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi to include the Coimbatore airport in the first phase of expansion plan.
The Madurai airport has been included in the first phase and Coimbatore in the second phase.
Mr. Subbarayan said he had written to the Union Minister for Civil Aviation.
The Minister expressed his inability, citing delay in land acquisition by the State Government. Mr. Karunanidhi should intervene and expedite land acquisition, besides taking up the issue with the Union Ministry, he said.
Source: The Hindu
The Madurai airport has been included in the first phase and Coimbatore in the second phase.
Mr. Subbarayan said he had written to the Union Minister for Civil Aviation.
The Minister expressed his inability, citing delay in land acquisition by the State Government. Mr. Karunanidhi should intervene and expedite land acquisition, besides taking up the issue with the Union Ministry, he said.
Source: The Hindu
Singapore can be a hub
Though Singapore may not be cost competitive for setting up manufacturing units, Coimbatore can make use of its advancements in textile and engineering design to enhance business potential, a senior minister of Singapore has said.
"Singapore can also be made a hub to reach out faster to South East Asian countries and the western part of America, due to its strategic location and excellent logistic facilities," Dr Balaji Sadasivan, senior Minister for Foreign Affairs, Information, Communication and Arts, Singapore, said.
He was interacting with the members of CII, Coimbatore Chapter, during his recent visit to the city, on the potential to boost bilateral economic cooperation between his country and Coimbatore, a CII press release said today.
With a quantum jump not only in business travellers, but also leisure travellers between the region and Singapore, Silk Air (of Singapore) was considering starting a direct air link between the two destinations and was awaiting the Centre's approval, he said.
The Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) signed between the two countries last year was entering the next stage with Singapore's intention to create special economic zones in India, Sadasivan said.
Bilateral trade has jumped 41 per cent in 2004-05 from 11 billion dollars to 16 billion dollars following the CECA, the release added.
Source: Chennai Online
"Singapore can also be made a hub to reach out faster to South East Asian countries and the western part of America, due to its strategic location and excellent logistic facilities," Dr Balaji Sadasivan, senior Minister for Foreign Affairs, Information, Communication and Arts, Singapore, said.
He was interacting with the members of CII, Coimbatore Chapter, during his recent visit to the city, on the potential to boost bilateral economic cooperation between his country and Coimbatore, a CII press release said today.
With a quantum jump not only in business travellers, but also leisure travellers between the region and Singapore, Silk Air (of Singapore) was considering starting a direct air link between the two destinations and was awaiting the Centre's approval, he said.
The Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) signed between the two countries last year was entering the next stage with Singapore's intention to create special economic zones in India, Sadasivan said.
Bilateral trade has jumped 41 per cent in 2004-05 from 11 billion dollars to 16 billion dollars following the CECA, the release added.
Source: Chennai Online
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
SILK Air - Direct flights to Singapore
SILK Air is considering direct air connectivity between Coimbatore and Singapore, said Balaji Sadasivam, Singapore's Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Information, Communication and Arts.
He was addressing the members of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Coimbatore, at a meeting held here on Monday.
According to a CII release, Mr. Sadasivam said there was a quantum jump during the last two years in not only business travellers between Singapore and this region but also "leisure travellers." Hence SILK Air was considering direct air connectivity between Coimbatore and Singapore and this was awaiting Central Government's approval.
"Singapore and Coimbatore can complement each other in the field of healthcare, education and engineering design."
A hub
Though Singapore might not be cost competitive to set up a manufacturing unit, Coimbatore could make use of its advancements in textile and engineering design and make Singapore a hub to reach out faster to the South East Asian countries and the Western parts of the U.S., he said.
Further, Singapore was looking at creating special economic zones in India, he added.
Bilateral trade
The Chairman of the CII, Coimbatore Zone, Jayakumar Ramdass, said bilateral trade and investment links between Singapore and India had seen a dramatic growth in recent years.
Various multinational companies were routing their investments in India through their Singapore subsidiaries. Companies from Singapore had invested in various projects in India such as logistics, health services, electronics and software.
Top five sectors
The top five sectors that attracted Foreign Direct Investment from Singapore included telecommunications, services (financial and non-financial), electrical equipment (including computer software and electronics), fuel and transportation industries.
India's trade with Singapore grew three times in the last five years and this was contributed by surge in exports and imports from and to Singapore, the release said.
Source : the Hindu
He was addressing the members of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Coimbatore, at a meeting held here on Monday.
According to a CII release, Mr. Sadasivam said there was a quantum jump during the last two years in not only business travellers between Singapore and this region but also "leisure travellers." Hence SILK Air was considering direct air connectivity between Coimbatore and Singapore and this was awaiting Central Government's approval.
"Singapore and Coimbatore can complement each other in the field of healthcare, education and engineering design."
A hub
Though Singapore might not be cost competitive to set up a manufacturing unit, Coimbatore could make use of its advancements in textile and engineering design and make Singapore a hub to reach out faster to the South East Asian countries and the Western parts of the U.S., he said.
Further, Singapore was looking at creating special economic zones in India, he added.
Bilateral trade
The Chairman of the CII, Coimbatore Zone, Jayakumar Ramdass, said bilateral trade and investment links between Singapore and India had seen a dramatic growth in recent years.
Various multinational companies were routing their investments in India through their Singapore subsidiaries. Companies from Singapore had invested in various projects in India such as logistics, health services, electronics and software.
Top five sectors
The top five sectors that attracted Foreign Direct Investment from Singapore included telecommunications, services (financial and non-financial), electrical equipment (including computer software and electronics), fuel and transportation industries.
India's trade with Singapore grew three times in the last five years and this was contributed by surge in exports and imports from and to Singapore, the release said.
Source : the Hindu
Textile Shop gets Insurance settlement
The Supreme Court has directed the New India Assurance Co. Ltd to pay Rs. 97.83 lakh with 9 per cent interest per annum to M/s Shobika Attire, whose textile shop was looted after the 1998 Coimbatore bomb blasts.
The shop had insured the stock and other valuables for Rs. 2 crore.
The insurance company made a payment of Rs. 1,02,16,173.
The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission rejected the claim for the balance amount. The present appeal was directed against that order.
Allowing the appeal, a Bench comprising Justices A.R. Lakshmanan and Altamas Kabir said it was evident that in the wake of a series of bomb blasts in Coimbatore on February 14, 1998, there was widespread unrest in the city coupled with mob frenzy, arson and looting.
The Bench said, "Although, an attempt has been made on behalf of the investigating agency to clinically examine the manner in which the incident involving the appellant's firm had occurred, it is doubtful whether the incident, which occurred at the showroom of the appellant on February 14, 1998, can be explained with such clinical precision as to when exactly the sales persons in the two basement levels escaped from the showroom through the elevated ground floor or when the police and fire fighting personnel arrived at the site and when exactly the riotous mob took over the showroom."
Mr. Justice Kabir, writing the judgment, said, "The statements of the sales persons clearly indicate that when they were fleeing the showroom they saw the mob trying to break through the plate-glass doors and windows leading to the first level of the two basements."
Courtesy: The Hindu
The shop had insured the stock and other valuables for Rs. 2 crore.
The insurance company made a payment of Rs. 1,02,16,173.
The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission rejected the claim for the balance amount. The present appeal was directed against that order.
Allowing the appeal, a Bench comprising Justices A.R. Lakshmanan and Altamas Kabir said it was evident that in the wake of a series of bomb blasts in Coimbatore on February 14, 1998, there was widespread unrest in the city coupled with mob frenzy, arson and looting.
The Bench said, "Although, an attempt has been made on behalf of the investigating agency to clinically examine the manner in which the incident involving the appellant's firm had occurred, it is doubtful whether the incident, which occurred at the showroom of the appellant on February 14, 1998, can be explained with such clinical precision as to when exactly the sales persons in the two basement levels escaped from the showroom through the elevated ground floor or when the police and fire fighting personnel arrived at the site and when exactly the riotous mob took over the showroom."
Mr. Justice Kabir, writing the judgment, said, "The statements of the sales persons clearly indicate that when they were fleeing the showroom they saw the mob trying to break through the plate-glass doors and windows leading to the first level of the two basements."
Courtesy: The Hindu
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
Pegasus Realty to invest in coimbatore
Real estate company Pegasus Realty plans to invest over Dhs550 million (US$150.4 million) across India through joint ventures.
"We have earmarked $150 million for the realty sector in Pune, Hyderabad, Chennai and Coimbatore. We are holding talks with a Netherlands-based venture capitalist who has $US200 million for investments in the hospitality sector in India," Pegasus Realty Chairman Imitiaz Panjwani was quoted as saying by the Gulf Today.
The company's plans include malls and townships, as well as hotels and resorts, plus apartment complexes around Chennai in satellite towns.
Source : Antara news
"We have earmarked $150 million for the realty sector in Pune, Hyderabad, Chennai and Coimbatore. We are holding talks with a Netherlands-based venture capitalist who has $US200 million for investments in the hospitality sector in India," Pegasus Realty Chairman Imitiaz Panjwani was quoted as saying by the Gulf Today.
The company's plans include malls and townships, as well as hotels and resorts, plus apartment complexes around Chennai in satellite towns.
Source : Antara news
Monday, October 02, 2006
MetroCorp, Jurong tie up for township project in Coimbatore
The Bangalore-based MetroCorp Housing Corporation has teamed up with the Singapore-based Jurong International Group to establish a large integrated township project in Coimbatore at an estimated investment of Rs 500 crore spread over a period of three-four years.
The other tier II cities in Tamil Nadu such as Salem, Tiruchi and Madurai are also on the radar of the group for housing projects.
Speaking to newspersons in Coimbatore, Mr Rao Munukutla, CEO, Jurong India, and Mr Deepak Krishnappa, Chairman and CEO, MetroCorp Housing Corporation, said the `self-sufficient, premium and integrated township' spread over an area of 40 acres would have features such as multi-cuisine restaurant, conference/meeting hall, gym and fitness centre, swimming pool, shopping mall and school, hospital, apart from IT parks. It is being established along the Sundakamuthur road on the south-western part of the city.
In the first phase, nearly 300 apartments ranging from 685 sq ft to 1400 sq ft in size would be constructed and would be priced approximately Rs 13 lakh to Rs 18 lakh. The total investment in the real estate part of the Coimbatore project was Rs 500 crore, and when completed, the township would consist of about 2,000 units, much of which would be two and three bedroom apartments, though there would be single bedroom apartments also.
Integrated township
Mr Deepak Krishnappa said the investment of Rs 500 crore did not include the investment of IT and other companies. When asked whether the provision of so many facilities such as swimming pool, gym, club house, shopping mall and hospital in the township would not add to the maintenance cost that would have to be shared by the residents, he said the rate quoted by the company for the apartments was substantially lower than the prevailing rate in the area and it was `literally value for money'. As for facilities such as hospital and club, the residents would pay when they use them.
Aimed at knowledge sector
Replying to a question as to whether the project was targeted at IT and ITES sector employees, he said predominantly the project was aimed at the knowledge sector but he reckoned that there was latent demand from other sectors such as business people who would like to live in gated community. . The group was also looking at projects like SEZs in Coimbatore area but as of now, the focus was on the integrated township project.
Mr Krishnappa said Salem, Tiruchi and Madurai were the cities the group was looking at apart from Chennai.
Courtesy: The Hindu Business Line
The other tier II cities in Tamil Nadu such as Salem, Tiruchi and Madurai are also on the radar of the group for housing projects.
Speaking to newspersons in Coimbatore, Mr Rao Munukutla, CEO, Jurong India, and Mr Deepak Krishnappa, Chairman and CEO, MetroCorp Housing Corporation, said the `self-sufficient, premium and integrated township' spread over an area of 40 acres would have features such as multi-cuisine restaurant, conference/meeting hall, gym and fitness centre, swimming pool, shopping mall and school, hospital, apart from IT parks. It is being established along the Sundakamuthur road on the south-western part of the city.
In the first phase, nearly 300 apartments ranging from 685 sq ft to 1400 sq ft in size would be constructed and would be priced approximately Rs 13 lakh to Rs 18 lakh. The total investment in the real estate part of the Coimbatore project was Rs 500 crore, and when completed, the township would consist of about 2,000 units, much of which would be two and three bedroom apartments, though there would be single bedroom apartments also.
Integrated township
Mr Deepak Krishnappa said the investment of Rs 500 crore did not include the investment of IT and other companies. When asked whether the provision of so many facilities such as swimming pool, gym, club house, shopping mall and hospital in the township would not add to the maintenance cost that would have to be shared by the residents, he said the rate quoted by the company for the apartments was substantially lower than the prevailing rate in the area and it was `literally value for money'. As for facilities such as hospital and club, the residents would pay when they use them.
Aimed at knowledge sector
Replying to a question as to whether the project was targeted at IT and ITES sector employees, he said predominantly the project was aimed at the knowledge sector but he reckoned that there was latent demand from other sectors such as business people who would like to live in gated community. . The group was also looking at projects like SEZs in Coimbatore area but as of now, the focus was on the integrated township project.
Mr Krishnappa said Salem, Tiruchi and Madurai were the cities the group was looking at apart from Chennai.
Courtesy: The Hindu Business Line
Sunday, October 01, 2006
Karthikeyan - Formula 1 Test Driver
Narain Karthikeyan`s career on Thursday received a major fillip after he was appointed as `official test driver` by Williams F1 for 2007.
The Chennai-born Narain will occupy the slot left vacant by Alexander Wurz Who got promoted as race driver following the departure of Australian Mark Webber.
Like this year, when he was the second test driver, Narain will be paid by Williams and handsomely at that.
After a roller-coaster debut with Jordan in 2005, which mostly consisted of non-finishes on a ramshackle car, and a season of near to nothing as second test driver this year, this would be the right platform for the 29-year old Coimbatore lad to relaunch his formula one dreams.
It falls short of being the race driver, but Narain has preferred the hard and long route to success to the easy and short-term option of hitching a ride with a low rung team.
"Naturally as a racing driver, my first priority is to compete. But I would far rather test with a leading team than accept a race seat that offers no real potential to learn and develop," Narain said from his native town.
"The role of official test driver is a much more high profile job than what I did this year for Williams.
"People like Alex Wurz and Pedra de la Rosa have been test drivers for five-six years before becoming race drivers.
"Obviously I don`t want to wait that long but your reputation really grows when you are a test driver. And seats with the big teams are limited."
The fact that Williams have appointed Narain so early -- three races still remain to go in the current season -- points to the British team`s faith in the Indian.
"Initially the learning took some time. But once I came into my own, I was able to win the faith of Sir Frank (Williams) and that made things easy," he said.
"I think my speed was the clinching factor. Sir frank (Williams F1`s team principal) has complimented it."
On their part, Williams said that besides Narain`s speed, it was also his experience with driving the Toyota-powered Jordan and on Bridgestone Tyres that proved crucial.
"Narain`s appointment is extremely popular within the team because he is hardworking, conscientious and capable in the car. It is also significant that Narian carries with him India`s growing formula one interest, which is exciting," Sir Frank said in a statement from London.
The new season will see all cars in formula one driving on Bridgestone, and from Cosworth V10 to Toyota V8 engine.
Williams have already begun their transition process with Narain testing the FW29 car at silverstone during a four-day programme from September 19 to 22.
"I am the first driver to test the new Toyota engine for Williams," he said.
"We are waiting for the FIA to finalise the regulations for the new season. Once we know that, we will begin the full programme."
Among the changes contemplated is also to do away with the third car, that is the presence of test driver, on race weekends.
That would mean Narain might not be in action at the Grands Prix, but being the next person in line after the two race drivers, Narain will carry a lot more responsibility than he does now.
"That is still not finalised. Anyway, it (test driver) has been there only from 2003," he said.
Narain rated his new role with Williams higher than racing for Jordan.
"It is different. There won`t be much to do on weekends, but given the resources and technical capability of a team like Williams, it is light year`s difference," he said.
Narain said his new deal would also be a big boost for Indian motorsports. "People will realise now that if I can do it, they also can do it," he said.
Courtesy: Zee News
The Chennai-born Narain will occupy the slot left vacant by Alexander Wurz Who got promoted as race driver following the departure of Australian Mark Webber.
Like this year, when he was the second test driver, Narain will be paid by Williams and handsomely at that.
After a roller-coaster debut with Jordan in 2005, which mostly consisted of non-finishes on a ramshackle car, and a season of near to nothing as second test driver this year, this would be the right platform for the 29-year old Coimbatore lad to relaunch his formula one dreams.
It falls short of being the race driver, but Narain has preferred the hard and long route to success to the easy and short-term option of hitching a ride with a low rung team.
"Naturally as a racing driver, my first priority is to compete. But I would far rather test with a leading team than accept a race seat that offers no real potential to learn and develop," Narain said from his native town.
"The role of official test driver is a much more high profile job than what I did this year for Williams.
"People like Alex Wurz and Pedra de la Rosa have been test drivers for five-six years before becoming race drivers.
"Obviously I don`t want to wait that long but your reputation really grows when you are a test driver. And seats with the big teams are limited."
The fact that Williams have appointed Narain so early -- three races still remain to go in the current season -- points to the British team`s faith in the Indian.
"Initially the learning took some time. But once I came into my own, I was able to win the faith of Sir Frank (Williams) and that made things easy," he said.
"I think my speed was the clinching factor. Sir frank (Williams F1`s team principal) has complimented it."
On their part, Williams said that besides Narain`s speed, it was also his experience with driving the Toyota-powered Jordan and on Bridgestone Tyres that proved crucial.
"Narain`s appointment is extremely popular within the team because he is hardworking, conscientious and capable in the car. It is also significant that Narian carries with him India`s growing formula one interest, which is exciting," Sir Frank said in a statement from London.
The new season will see all cars in formula one driving on Bridgestone, and from Cosworth V10 to Toyota V8 engine.
Williams have already begun their transition process with Narain testing the FW29 car at silverstone during a four-day programme from September 19 to 22.
"I am the first driver to test the new Toyota engine for Williams," he said.
"We are waiting for the FIA to finalise the regulations for the new season. Once we know that, we will begin the full programme."
Among the changes contemplated is also to do away with the third car, that is the presence of test driver, on race weekends.
That would mean Narain might not be in action at the Grands Prix, but being the next person in line after the two race drivers, Narain will carry a lot more responsibility than he does now.
"That is still not finalised. Anyway, it (test driver) has been there only from 2003," he said.
Narain rated his new role with Williams higher than racing for Jordan.
"It is different. There won`t be much to do on weekends, but given the resources and technical capability of a team like Williams, it is light year`s difference," he said.
Narain said his new deal would also be a big boost for Indian motorsports. "People will realise now that if I can do it, they also can do it," he said.
Courtesy: Zee News
SIMA spins new strategy to up cotton output
Considering the increasing demand for cotton from the textile industry and the big advantage the farmers can gain from higher productivity, the Cotton Development & Research Association of the South India Mills Association (SIMA) has targeted to enhance production of cotton to 35 million bales of 170 kg each in the next two years.
Cotton production in the current year is expected to be around 26 million bales, against 24.25 million bales in cotton year August-September 2005-06, owing to favourable weather, low pest profile and good technology transfer to farmers.
Cotton consumption by the mills increased by 9.28% from 19.4 million bales in 2004-05 to 21.3 million bales in 2005-06.
About 3.25 million bales were exported last year mainly to China, Bangladesh and Pakistan. With increase in production, exports may be up to 4.25 million bales in the cotton season that began in August.
Some of the favourable factors in Indian cotton production were improved yields, increasing quality awareness among farmers and industry and better acceptability of Indian cotton in the world market, says J Thulasidharan, chairman of CD&RA and managing director of the Rajratna Mills Ltd, Coimbatore.
He told the association’s 31st annual general meeting in Coimbatore that SIMA CD&RA has set out the vision to enhance productivity and production of cotton to 35 million bales, to improve quality of cotton to match international growth, to reduce the cost of cotton cultivation and make it profitable and to prevent shifting of cotton areas to other cash crops.
The area under cotton was 88.17 lakh hectares in 2005-06 against 89.20 lakh ha in the previous year. It was in 2004-05 that the cotton yield increased to 463 kg/ha. The earlier average had been 310kg/ha.
Agencies like the US Department of Agriculture has pointed out that the rising cultivation of Bt Cotton as the reason for the yield increase.
However, farmers and industry players say that Bt cotton is only one of the reasons. Bt cotton made just 13% (1.62 million hectares) of the total area under cotton cultivation in 2005-06. The total production was estimated to be around 60 lakh bales (23%). During the current year about one million farmers are reported to have grown Bt cotton.
The area under Bt cotton has increased, but it is being cultivated to tackle bollworms and cut farmers costs on pesticides, and not necessarily to increase yield.
Thulasidharan said cotton production was up mainly because of the extension activities of the government and industry and the various steps taken through the technology mission on cotton (TCM).
Courtesy : The Financial Express
Cotton production in the current year is expected to be around 26 million bales, against 24.25 million bales in cotton year August-September 2005-06, owing to favourable weather, low pest profile and good technology transfer to farmers.
Cotton consumption by the mills increased by 9.28% from 19.4 million bales in 2004-05 to 21.3 million bales in 2005-06.
About 3.25 million bales were exported last year mainly to China, Bangladesh and Pakistan. With increase in production, exports may be up to 4.25 million bales in the cotton season that began in August.
Some of the favourable factors in Indian cotton production were improved yields, increasing quality awareness among farmers and industry and better acceptability of Indian cotton in the world market, says J Thulasidharan, chairman of CD&RA and managing director of the Rajratna Mills Ltd, Coimbatore.
He told the association’s 31st annual general meeting in Coimbatore that SIMA CD&RA has set out the vision to enhance productivity and production of cotton to 35 million bales, to improve quality of cotton to match international growth, to reduce the cost of cotton cultivation and make it profitable and to prevent shifting of cotton areas to other cash crops.
The area under cotton was 88.17 lakh hectares in 2005-06 against 89.20 lakh ha in the previous year. It was in 2004-05 that the cotton yield increased to 463 kg/ha. The earlier average had been 310kg/ha.
Agencies like the US Department of Agriculture has pointed out that the rising cultivation of Bt Cotton as the reason for the yield increase.
However, farmers and industry players say that Bt cotton is only one of the reasons. Bt cotton made just 13% (1.62 million hectares) of the total area under cotton cultivation in 2005-06. The total production was estimated to be around 60 lakh bales (23%). During the current year about one million farmers are reported to have grown Bt cotton.
The area under Bt cotton has increased, but it is being cultivated to tackle bollworms and cut farmers costs on pesticides, and not necessarily to increase yield.
Thulasidharan said cotton production was up mainly because of the extension activities of the government and industry and the various steps taken through the technology mission on cotton (TCM).
Courtesy : The Financial Express
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