A Rs 10-crore home ($2.5 million ) in a 400-acre Marina on the Bay of Bengal, just an hour’s drive from Chennai could be up for the taking in a few years. It will come up along with a miniport, and be developed as a luxury waterfront project.
Rakindo Developers, a 50-50 joint venture between Rakeen, promoted by the Government of Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, and the Chennai-based Trimex Group, is expecting to invest $5 billion worth in real estate projects in India totalling 50 million sq feet of development over the next 5- 8 years.
The Marina project that comes up on an estuary and a home-away-from-home in Kumarokom, in Kerala are the two luxury projects waiting for environmental clearances. The company is otherwise planning to focus on integrated townships as a model housing offering for different budgets, and plans to stay away from city projects.
It already has 4,000 acres, and according to the Managing Director, Mr Prasad R. Koneru, another 5,000 acres are in the offing. “We have already invested $100 million, and will be investing another $100 million in 2008,” said Dr Khater Massaad, CEO, RAK Investment Authority. The projects cover Coimbatore and Chennai in Tamil Nadu, Kumarakom and Kochi in Kerala. An 800-acre township and SEZ has also been planned about 10 km from Coimbatore.
According to Mr Koneru, the SEZ will focus on IT and the township will also serve Tirupur. The traditional ground breaking ceremony of the 650 acres of phase one is expected to take place in February 2008. The company is hoping to have a 50-50 debt–equity ratio, and could consider raising equity down in 4-5 years.
RAK Investment Authority is also investing in a $2 billion mining project in partnership with the Andhra Pradesh Government. The 1.5 million tonnes of alumina and 350,000 tonnes aluminium smelter project will also have a captive power plant.
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
Crisil report for Coimbatore corporation
The Coimbatore Corporation is awaiting a report on its creditworthiness, set as it is to implement a number of infrastructure development schemes for the city under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM).
Credit Rating and Information Services India Limited (Crisil), a national level rating agency, is in the process of assessing its funding schemes and repayment potential.
While going for loans is decidedly an option, the civic body may also explore the possibility of floating infrastructure bonds. But the bond option is subject to Crisil’s grading.
The credit rating exercise is essential, as the corporations of 63 cities chosen for schemes under the JNNURM are expected to meet 30 per cent of the cost of projects on their own.
Grant
Schemes worth Rs. 3,186 crore have been drawn up for Coimbatore city, and 30 per cent of the amount has to be met by the Corporation. Central Government grants will cover as much as 50 per cent.
While the JNNURM envisages a 20 per cent grant from the State Government, it is being made available to the Coimbatore Corporation as an interest-free loan. This puts the burden of funding to an extent of 50 per cent on the Corporation.
As for its own contribution of 30 per cent, the resource mobilisation mode has been left to the civic body. It can raise loans provided it is found credit-worthy.
Report
“We expect the credit rating report to be submitted in a month,” says Corporation Commissioner P. Muthuveeran, in response to a question on whether the civic body will go in for bonds.
“Bonds can certainly be an option. But a suggestion for this will be made by the agency on the basis of its findings,” he says.
The Commissioner’s response implies that it will depend on the Corporation’s credit-worthiness.
The Corporation had contemplated floating bonds for the underground drainage scheme a few years ago, but did not pursue it.
The local body is now set to take a fresh look at this option in the wake of Local Administration Minister M.K. Stalin announcing a month ago that the Salem Corporation and some other municipalities in the State have the option of floating bonds to raise funds for infrastructure development schemes.
Credit Rating and Information Services India Limited (Crisil), a national level rating agency, is in the process of assessing its funding schemes and repayment potential.
While going for loans is decidedly an option, the civic body may also explore the possibility of floating infrastructure bonds. But the bond option is subject to Crisil’s grading.
The credit rating exercise is essential, as the corporations of 63 cities chosen for schemes under the JNNURM are expected to meet 30 per cent of the cost of projects on their own.
Grant
Schemes worth Rs. 3,186 crore have been drawn up for Coimbatore city, and 30 per cent of the amount has to be met by the Corporation. Central Government grants will cover as much as 50 per cent.
While the JNNURM envisages a 20 per cent grant from the State Government, it is being made available to the Coimbatore Corporation as an interest-free loan. This puts the burden of funding to an extent of 50 per cent on the Corporation.
As for its own contribution of 30 per cent, the resource mobilisation mode has been left to the civic body. It can raise loans provided it is found credit-worthy.
Report
“We expect the credit rating report to be submitted in a month,” says Corporation Commissioner P. Muthuveeran, in response to a question on whether the civic body will go in for bonds.
“Bonds can certainly be an option. But a suggestion for this will be made by the agency on the basis of its findings,” he says.
The Commissioner’s response implies that it will depend on the Corporation’s credit-worthiness.
The Corporation had contemplated floating bonds for the underground drainage scheme a few years ago, but did not pursue it.
The local body is now set to take a fresh look at this option in the wake of Local Administration Minister M.K. Stalin announcing a month ago that the Salem Corporation and some other municipalities in the State have the option of floating bonds to raise funds for infrastructure development schemes.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
SPi comes out with new Speech Recognition Technology
Manila-based SPi, a leading global BPO provider, on Wednesday introduced state-of-the-art Speech Recognition Technology into its transcription platform (Chartnet), at its facility here.
This new technology is considered to be the most advanced in the medical transcription industry and has transformed the Company's facility into a truly world-class one, S N Srinivasan, Director of India Operations, SPi Healthcare, told reporters on Wednesday.
With 40 million lines transcripted across the Globe this year, it would be doubled the next year using this advanced technology, he said.
On the benefits of the technology, Srinivasan said there would be significant improvements in accuracy, 30 to 50 per cent gain in productivity and faster turnaround times and the ability to take on higher volumes of work.
In addition, it would allow the company to advance the careers of its medical language specialists by providing them with higher level skillsets and a greater variety in the work that they are doing, he said.
The company, with delivery centres in Delhi, Chennai Puducherry and Coimbatore in India, would expand its client-base and also employees from the present 1500 across the country.
SPi, which took over a city-based medical transcription company a couple of years ago, would soon acquire two companies- one E-learning and another Multimedia-- in India, Srinivasan said.
This new technology is considered to be the most advanced in the medical transcription industry and has transformed the Company's facility into a truly world-class one, S N Srinivasan, Director of India Operations, SPi Healthcare, told reporters on Wednesday.
With 40 million lines transcripted across the Globe this year, it would be doubled the next year using this advanced technology, he said.
On the benefits of the technology, Srinivasan said there would be significant improvements in accuracy, 30 to 50 per cent gain in productivity and faster turnaround times and the ability to take on higher volumes of work.
In addition, it would allow the company to advance the careers of its medical language specialists by providing them with higher level skillsets and a greater variety in the work that they are doing, he said.
The company, with delivery centres in Delhi, Chennai Puducherry and Coimbatore in India, would expand its client-base and also employees from the present 1500 across the country.
SPi, which took over a city-based medical transcription company a couple of years ago, would soon acquire two companies- one E-learning and another Multimedia-- in India, Srinivasan said.
Coimbatore residents to play host during INTEC
Residents of Coimbatore can now play host to the visitors who will be here for the International Industrial Trade Fair (INTEC 2008) from February 1 to 6, 2008.
Apart from hotels, service apartments and guest houses, the event organisers plan to involve the residents to meet the accommodation needs for those will come to the fair.
K.V. Ganapathi, the INTEC chairman, says that the previous edition of the fair, which was held in 2006, had nearly two lakh visitors and 520 stalls on a total exhibition area of 7,800 sq.mt. The fair in 2008 will have close to 10,000 sq.mt of exhibition area. The number of participants and the visitor profile will also go up accordingly.
But Coimbatore does not have adequate number of hotels to provide accommodation to all of them. “Hotel facility is limited here. Some visitors and participants, especially those from foreign countries, ask for accommodation in a star hotel,” he says.
“Last year, we had to arrange accommodation at Tirupur for about 150 delegates who came from Sri Lanka,” he says. Some visitors stayed in Palakkad and travelled to the exhibition every day. Even those who come from Madurai or Hosur need accommodation for a day or two if they decide to purchase a machine at the fair. Apart from the participants and the visitors, a lot of people come here to help in erecting the stalls, etc.
Hence, the organisers have come out with a proposal to provide on the exhibition website ( www.intecexpo.com) the names and addresses of those who are willing to accommodate the visitors at their home on rent.
“The city has several apartments with the owners living elsewhere. Similarly, many of us have an extra bedroom that is normally not used by the family. These can be used by the visitors on a rental basis. They can decide whether they will be able to provide food and transportation facilities,” he says. While the visitor gets a peaceful and comfortable home stay, it is an income opportunity for the host.
The former president of the Coimbatore District Small Industries Association, D. Gandhi Kumar, points out that Dusseldorf in Germany is a major trade fair centre. Almost all the houses here accommodate visitors on a rental basis. “We have just introduced the concept to Coimbatore. We plan to organise major fairs here regularly. This will be mutually beneficial,” he says.
For details, contact INTEC 2008, CODISSIA Trade Fair Complex, Avinashi Road, Coimbatore – 641014. Telephone: 0422-2593505, 2593507. email: cointec@vsnl.com
Apart from hotels, service apartments and guest houses, the event organisers plan to involve the residents to meet the accommodation needs for those will come to the fair.
K.V. Ganapathi, the INTEC chairman, says that the previous edition of the fair, which was held in 2006, had nearly two lakh visitors and 520 stalls on a total exhibition area of 7,800 sq.mt. The fair in 2008 will have close to 10,000 sq.mt of exhibition area. The number of participants and the visitor profile will also go up accordingly.
But Coimbatore does not have adequate number of hotels to provide accommodation to all of them. “Hotel facility is limited here. Some visitors and participants, especially those from foreign countries, ask for accommodation in a star hotel,” he says.
“Last year, we had to arrange accommodation at Tirupur for about 150 delegates who came from Sri Lanka,” he says. Some visitors stayed in Palakkad and travelled to the exhibition every day. Even those who come from Madurai or Hosur need accommodation for a day or two if they decide to purchase a machine at the fair. Apart from the participants and the visitors, a lot of people come here to help in erecting the stalls, etc.
Hence, the organisers have come out with a proposal to provide on the exhibition website ( www.intecexpo.com) the names and addresses of those who are willing to accommodate the visitors at their home on rent.
“The city has several apartments with the owners living elsewhere. Similarly, many of us have an extra bedroom that is normally not used by the family. These can be used by the visitors on a rental basis. They can decide whether they will be able to provide food and transportation facilities,” he says. While the visitor gets a peaceful and comfortable home stay, it is an income opportunity for the host.
The former president of the Coimbatore District Small Industries Association, D. Gandhi Kumar, points out that Dusseldorf in Germany is a major trade fair centre. Almost all the houses here accommodate visitors on a rental basis. “We have just introduced the concept to Coimbatore. We plan to organise major fairs here regularly. This will be mutually beneficial,” he says.
For details, contact INTEC 2008, CODISSIA Trade Fair Complex, Avinashi Road, Coimbatore – 641014. Telephone: 0422-2593505, 2593507. email: cointec@vsnl.com
Catridge World opens outlet in Coimbatore
Cartridge World, retailer of printer cartridge refilling service, has opened a store here. This is the company’s first store in the State and the 15th in the country.
Naveen Rakhecha, Chief Executive Officer of Cartridge World (South Asia), told presspersons here on Tuesday that according to a study conducted by the company about a year ago Coimbatore was among the top 10 consumer cities for inkjet cartridges and among the top 15 consumer cities for toner cartridges.
The store would be a one-stop-shop for all printer and cartridge-related needs.
It would refill empty inkjet and laser cartridges of all brands, conduct cartridge care education to customers and sell printers and speciality paper.
It planned to establish 50 outlets by March 2008 in different parts of the country and scale it up to 250 by 2010.
In Tamil Nadu, three more outlets would come up in Chennai and the company planned to have its presence in Madurai, Tiruchi, Erode, Salem and Tuticorin.
At the global level, the company currently had 1,500 stores in 45 countries and would increase it to 4,000 outlets by 2011.
The Coimbatore outlet was located on 95/356, Avarampalayam Road, New Siddhapudur.
Naveen Rakhecha, Chief Executive Officer of Cartridge World (South Asia), told presspersons here on Tuesday that according to a study conducted by the company about a year ago Coimbatore was among the top 10 consumer cities for inkjet cartridges and among the top 15 consumer cities for toner cartridges.
The store would be a one-stop-shop for all printer and cartridge-related needs.
It would refill empty inkjet and laser cartridges of all brands, conduct cartridge care education to customers and sell printers and speciality paper.
It planned to establish 50 outlets by March 2008 in different parts of the country and scale it up to 250 by 2010.
In Tamil Nadu, three more outlets would come up in Chennai and the company planned to have its presence in Madurai, Tiruchi, Erode, Salem and Tuticorin.
At the global level, the company currently had 1,500 stores in 45 countries and would increase it to 4,000 outlets by 2011.
The Coimbatore outlet was located on 95/356, Avarampalayam Road, New Siddhapudur.
Monday, November 26, 2007
Anna univ. to give computers at subsidised rates !!!
The Anna University, Coimbatore is to give computers at a subsidised rate to Post Graduate students of Distance Education, said Dr R Radhakrishnan, Vice-Chancellor, while inaugurating the Interactive Learning Programmes (ILP) for Distance Education here on Saturday.
The computer would make a difference in their learning, Radhakrishnan said, adding that instead of contact seminars, ILP will enable the students to enrich their capability.
Student's Relationship Management will be adopted for ensuring mitigation of grievances immediately. He added that text books have been prepared and supplied by the University as per the norms of the quality council. The curriculum of the courses is designed by bench marking with International standards.
Credit exchange among On Campus, Distance Education and Online Programmes will facilitate switch over from one mode to another mode, he noted. Anna University-Coimbatore started Distance Education Programmes for the academic year 2007-2008 by launching courses in 37 different branches of management, science and engineering including computer science in August 2007. All the programmes have high level of technology orientation.
After evaluation and testing online education will be launched. The first batch of students will appear for the first semester examination in Feb 2008 and Second Semester examination in June 2008. Another batch will be admitted for the year of 2008 commencing from Jan 2008.
Dr Annadurai, Principal, Government College of Technology, Coimbatore felicitated the students. Dr V Balakrishnan, Director, Directorate of online and distance education, presided over the function. Students received books and ID cards on the spot.
The computer would make a difference in their learning, Radhakrishnan said, adding that instead of contact seminars, ILP will enable the students to enrich their capability.
Student's Relationship Management will be adopted for ensuring mitigation of grievances immediately. He added that text books have been prepared and supplied by the University as per the norms of the quality council. The curriculum of the courses is designed by bench marking with International standards.
Credit exchange among On Campus, Distance Education and Online Programmes will facilitate switch over from one mode to another mode, he noted. Anna University-Coimbatore started Distance Education Programmes for the academic year 2007-2008 by launching courses in 37 different branches of management, science and engineering including computer science in August 2007. All the programmes have high level of technology orientation.
After evaluation and testing online education will be launched. The first batch of students will appear for the first semester examination in Feb 2008 and Second Semester examination in June 2008. Another batch will be admitted for the year of 2008 commencing from Jan 2008.
Dr Annadurai, Principal, Government College of Technology, Coimbatore felicitated the students. Dr V Balakrishnan, Director, Directorate of online and distance education, presided over the function. Students received books and ID cards on the spot.
Model farm for organic cotton
The South India Cotton Association has developed a model farm here for organic cotton.
According to an association official, the farm is developed jointly with Super Spinning Mills and the cotton varieties Sara 2 and Sara 33 have been sown on 60 cents. The plant is about 80 days old now. From next month, the association plans to invite delegations to the farm.
The demand is increasing in the U.S. and the European Union market on organic cotton and fabric made from it. Awareness about these products is on the rise in the domestic market too. Hence, the association decided to demonstrate cultivation of organic cotton through its model farm.
“It is biocotton. We have used only the natural method for cultivation of these cotton varieties,” the official said. The programme is supported by the Organic Exchange. As many as 13 technologies of organic method of farming have been adopted. Farm yard manure, bio-fertiliser and natural predator pests have been used. All the methods followed are in line with international standards. The total life of the crop is 180 to 190 days, he says. The association has been growing cotton on the plot for the last three seasons to demonstrate different cotton cultivation methods to farmers and the industry.
According to an association official, the farm is developed jointly with Super Spinning Mills and the cotton varieties Sara 2 and Sara 33 have been sown on 60 cents. The plant is about 80 days old now. From next month, the association plans to invite delegations to the farm.
The demand is increasing in the U.S. and the European Union market on organic cotton and fabric made from it. Awareness about these products is on the rise in the domestic market too. Hence, the association decided to demonstrate cultivation of organic cotton through its model farm.
“It is biocotton. We have used only the natural method for cultivation of these cotton varieties,” the official said. The programme is supported by the Organic Exchange. As many as 13 technologies of organic method of farming have been adopted. Farm yard manure, bio-fertiliser and natural predator pests have been used. All the methods followed are in line with international standards. The total life of the crop is 180 to 190 days, he says. The association has been growing cotton on the plot for the last three seasons to demonstrate different cotton cultivation methods to farmers and the industry.
Organic farming in coimbatore villages
Scientists should strive to promote organic farming concepts in villages, S. Natarajan, Director, Centre for Soil and Crop Management Studies, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, said here recently.
Sensitisation
Inaugurating a two-day training in organic farming for scientists at the university, he said that they should be sensitised to the concepts and components of organic farming in order to motivate the farmers to take it up.
SRI method
“There is a need for maintaining soil health and producing quality farm products. The System of Rice Intensification (SRI) method that can be well integrated with organic farming should also be impressed upon the farmers,” he added.
M.V. Ranghaswami, Director, Water Technology Centre, TNAU, explained about the Tamil Nadu Irrigated Agriculture Modernisation and Water Bodies Restoration and Management project funded by the World Bank and implemented by Tamil Nadu Agricultural University.
Key activities
“Promotion of organic farming is one of the key activities of the project. It aims to give widespread awareness about the utilisation of organic manures, green manures, bio-fertilizers and bio-pesticides in crop cultivation,” he said.
Cluster basis
The project would be promoted in a cluster basis (20 hectares) in each sub-basin and a nodal village would be converted under organic farming under each sub-basin, Dr. Ranghaswami added.
Sensitisation
Inaugurating a two-day training in organic farming for scientists at the university, he said that they should be sensitised to the concepts and components of organic farming in order to motivate the farmers to take it up.
SRI method
“There is a need for maintaining soil health and producing quality farm products. The System of Rice Intensification (SRI) method that can be well integrated with organic farming should also be impressed upon the farmers,” he added.
M.V. Ranghaswami, Director, Water Technology Centre, TNAU, explained about the Tamil Nadu Irrigated Agriculture Modernisation and Water Bodies Restoration and Management project funded by the World Bank and implemented by Tamil Nadu Agricultural University.
Key activities
“Promotion of organic farming is one of the key activities of the project. It aims to give widespread awareness about the utilisation of organic manures, green manures, bio-fertilizers and bio-pesticides in crop cultivation,” he said.
Cluster basis
The project would be promoted in a cluster basis (20 hectares) in each sub-basin and a nodal village would be converted under organic farming under each sub-basin, Dr. Ranghaswami added.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Baby care product manufacturing may start in Coimbatore
Saudi Arabia-based Al Batterjee Group will set up a new plant in India at an estimated cost of 25 million dollar to manufacture baby care products.
"The process of identifying the location is on and most probably the new facility will come up in Coimbatore. We have planned to make the new plant operational in a year," Al Batterjee Vice-Chairman Mohammed Mazen Batterjee told reporters today after launching its 'Nunu' range of baby care products at a function here.
He said the new facility would have a production capacity of one billion packages of varying sizes per annum.
Batterjee said 'Nunu' (meaning new born in Arabic) was one of the leading baby care products in West Asia and was being sold in over 37 countries.
The products, first launched in Kerala three months ago, had received excellent response. After Bangalore and Chennai, the products would be next launched in Hyderabad before expanding to the north, he said.
He said the group is targeting a share of Rs 20 crore in the Rs 250-crore market during the first year of operations at the all India level.
Kerala-based Valy Trading Agencies Pvt Ltd is the importer and distributor of the baby care products in India.
Batterjee said the group had also planned to make a foray into IT and hospitality sectors in the metropolis with an investment of 25 million dollar each.
"The process of identifying the location is on and most probably the new facility will come up in Coimbatore. We have planned to make the new plant operational in a year," Al Batterjee Vice-Chairman Mohammed Mazen Batterjee told reporters today after launching its 'Nunu' range of baby care products at a function here.
He said the new facility would have a production capacity of one billion packages of varying sizes per annum.
Batterjee said 'Nunu' (meaning new born in Arabic) was one of the leading baby care products in West Asia and was being sold in over 37 countries.
The products, first launched in Kerala three months ago, had received excellent response. After Bangalore and Chennai, the products would be next launched in Hyderabad before expanding to the north, he said.
He said the group is targeting a share of Rs 20 crore in the Rs 250-crore market during the first year of operations at the all India level.
Kerala-based Valy Trading Agencies Pvt Ltd is the importer and distributor of the baby care products in India.
Batterjee said the group had also planned to make a foray into IT and hospitality sectors in the metropolis with an investment of 25 million dollar each.
Radio City 91.1 FM launched in Coimbatore
Radio City 91.1 FM has launched in Coimbatore. This marks the 13th station of the FM station across the country.
Radio City Coimbatore will kick off Coimbatore mornings with Namma City Special followed by City Spice for Kollywood news coupled with contests.
Endrendrum Punnagai will see Coimbatore unwind while in the evening Silmisha Balbhaje Shikarika Bilaba will take over the listeners. Love Beat will address matters on romance and sun sign predictions, among other interactive content. The weekend special line-up has Pazhamozhi and Tatuvam.
Radio City is conducting an on-air and on-ground contest 'Jeeto Cash Tanaa Tan' starting 19 November, where listeners can win cash prizes on the spot every day for a month.
Radio City CEO Apurva Purohit said, "It is an extremely important market for us and we eagerly look forward to engaging with our listeners here. Combining our musical expertise, innovations and creativity, Radio City brings to Coimbatore compelling content and a music mix strategically planned to uplift the mood of its listeners."
Radio City Coimbatore will kick off Coimbatore mornings with Namma City Special followed by City Spice for Kollywood news coupled with contests.
Endrendrum Punnagai will see Coimbatore unwind while in the evening Silmisha Balbhaje Shikarika Bilaba will take over the listeners. Love Beat will address matters on romance and sun sign predictions, among other interactive content. The weekend special line-up has Pazhamozhi and Tatuvam.
Radio City is conducting an on-air and on-ground contest 'Jeeto Cash Tanaa Tan' starting 19 November, where listeners can win cash prizes on the spot every day for a month.
Radio City CEO Apurva Purohit said, "It is an extremely important market for us and we eagerly look forward to engaging with our listeners here. Combining our musical expertise, innovations and creativity, Radio City brings to Coimbatore compelling content and a music mix strategically planned to uplift the mood of its listeners."
Monday, November 12, 2007
Cisco’s local academy at Karunya University
Karunya University and Cisco Systems inked a memorandum of understanding by which the company will set up its ‘Regional – Local Academy’ in the university campus.
Jegan Jothivel, Cisco Area Academy Manager – India and SAARC, and Anne Mary Fernandez, Vice-Chancellor (in-charge), Karunya University, signed the MoU in the presence of the Registrar, Joseph Thomas, and Director i/c (Computer Science & Technology), Elijah Blessing. According to a university release, the MoU will enable the university to run Cisco-certified programmes such as CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate), Network Security and Wireless LAN.
These certification programmes will commence from January 2008 for the university students. For others, these certification courses will also be run at the Karunya University City Centre.
The university is for developing the school of Computer Science and Technology into a centre of excellence in the area of Networking at Rs. 1 crore.
Jegan Jothivel, Cisco Area Academy Manager – India and SAARC, and Anne Mary Fernandez, Vice-Chancellor (in-charge), Karunya University, signed the MoU in the presence of the Registrar, Joseph Thomas, and Director i/c (Computer Science & Technology), Elijah Blessing. According to a university release, the MoU will enable the university to run Cisco-certified programmes such as CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate), Network Security and Wireless LAN.
These certification programmes will commence from January 2008 for the university students. For others, these certification courses will also be run at the Karunya University City Centre.
The university is for developing the school of Computer Science and Technology into a centre of excellence in the area of Networking at Rs. 1 crore.
Plans to train workforce for the foundries
The Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Institute here plans to train workforce for the foundries in a joint effort with the industry.
It had called for applications for “foundry moulder” training. Candidates should have studied at least up to Standard VIII. Over 1,000 applications had been collected. The institute was in the process of formulating the course material, said an official at the institute. The training was likely to be conducted in Coimbatore and Chennai, he added.
This would be a six-month programme and the classes would include theory and practical sessions. The total number of candidates to be trained would depend on the industry’s needs. The institute was in the process of collecting information from the industries on the number of candidates the units would be interested in training. The unit would have to provide accommodation and assistance to the candidates.
Through this programme the trainees would get hands on experience and the units could retain them after the training period too.
The programme was evolved since the industry was suffering from shortage of manpower and had sought trained workforce to be employed in the foundries. The programme was expected to take off in a month, the official said.
It had called for applications for “foundry moulder” training. Candidates should have studied at least up to Standard VIII. Over 1,000 applications had been collected. The institute was in the process of formulating the course material, said an official at the institute. The training was likely to be conducted in Coimbatore and Chennai, he added.
This would be a six-month programme and the classes would include theory and practical sessions. The total number of candidates to be trained would depend on the industry’s needs. The institute was in the process of collecting information from the industries on the number of candidates the units would be interested in training. The unit would have to provide accommodation and assistance to the candidates.
Through this programme the trainees would get hands on experience and the units could retain them after the training period too.
The programme was evolved since the industry was suffering from shortage of manpower and had sought trained workforce to be employed in the foundries. The programme was expected to take off in a month, the official said.
Friday, November 09, 2007
Nilkamal plans @home mall in Coimbatore !!!
Nilkamal Ltd, a major player in the plastic and steel crafted material handling systems, plans to up its turnover from @home business to Rs 600 crore in the next three years.
The company, which diversified into furniture, lighting and home furnishing business two years ago under the brand name @home is keen to ride the realty wave to open 40 @home malls across the country by 2010-11, to touch sales of over Rs 600 crore, Manish Parekh, director, told reporters here. Nilkamal opened its second @home mall (10th all-India) in Pune.
Parekh said there was an increasing preference for acquiring readymade furniture as the high-income working couples don't find the time to get it made in the traditional way, hiring a carpenter. Another important factor, he said was the preference to change the furniture every few years, as against considering home furniture as a life long item.
The company has planned 40 more @home malls by 2010-11 with an investment of Rs 75 crore, Parekh said, adding that the next malls to open would be in Mumbai, Surat, Thane and Coimbatore. "We will also open @home malls in the North and have finalised locations in Ghaziabad, Faridabad and Delhi which will be made operational in the next four months," he informed. The company is in talks for a property in Gurgaon too.
Parekh sad the company would follow a strategy to select locations of 20,000 sft and more for the @home malls. “We will operate the stores ourselves and won’t take the franchisee route,” he stressed.
Parekh informed that the @home division of Nilkamal Limited contributed Rs 29 crore to the company’s business in 2006-07 and it is estimated to notch up sales of Rs 70 crore this year. Thereafter, the revenues will increase at a higher pace as the company will have reached major markets then, he said.
The company imports all its merchandise through a purchase office in China. The merchandise comes from Southeast Asia and Europe.
Parekh said the company would soon open its own design office and get the furniture and other items made according to designs based on the Indian preferences and usage patterns.
A design team has already been hired, he added.
The company, which diversified into furniture, lighting and home furnishing business two years ago under the brand name @home is keen to ride the realty wave to open 40 @home malls across the country by 2010-11, to touch sales of over Rs 600 crore, Manish Parekh, director, told reporters here. Nilkamal opened its second @home mall (10th all-India) in Pune.
Parekh said there was an increasing preference for acquiring readymade furniture as the high-income working couples don't find the time to get it made in the traditional way, hiring a carpenter. Another important factor, he said was the preference to change the furniture every few years, as against considering home furniture as a life long item.
The company has planned 40 more @home malls by 2010-11 with an investment of Rs 75 crore, Parekh said, adding that the next malls to open would be in Mumbai, Surat, Thane and Coimbatore. "We will also open @home malls in the North and have finalised locations in Ghaziabad, Faridabad and Delhi which will be made operational in the next four months," he informed. The company is in talks for a property in Gurgaon too.
Parekh sad the company would follow a strategy to select locations of 20,000 sft and more for the @home malls. “We will operate the stores ourselves and won’t take the franchisee route,” he stressed.
Parekh informed that the @home division of Nilkamal Limited contributed Rs 29 crore to the company’s business in 2006-07 and it is estimated to notch up sales of Rs 70 crore this year. Thereafter, the revenues will increase at a higher pace as the company will have reached major markets then, he said.
The company imports all its merchandise through a purchase office in China. The merchandise comes from Southeast Asia and Europe.
Parekh said the company would soon open its own design office and get the furniture and other items made according to designs based on the Indian preferences and usage patterns.
A design team has already been hired, he added.
Thursday, November 08, 2007
BSNL changes night call charges
The Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited, Coimbatore has announced the launch of night calling charges under BSNL mobile cellular service from 11 p.m. to 7 p.m. The tariff for this would be 50 per cent of the peak hour charges (7 a.m. to 11 p.m.) as per the call charges in the respective plan that was in force for the customer.
The reduction in call charges during night would be applicable for all prepaid plans (except Lifetime Anant) and all post-paid customers with effect from November 1. Call charges for intra and inter-circle calls terminating in Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited network at 50 per cent of the peak hour (7 a.m. to 11 p.m.) call charges in the respective plan.
Local SMS (short messaging service) during off peak hours (11 p.m. to 7 a.m.) charged at 50 per cent of the peak hour (7 a.m. to 11 p.m.) SMS rate in the respective plan. No fixed charges would be applicable for this facility, according to the announcement that has been made by Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited. The offer would be valid for 90 days from November 1. The facility of speaking at night at half rate would not be applicable to calls that were made while roaming. This included both national and international roaming. Local short messaging service (SMS) includes SMS terminating in other telephone networks also.
For further details, contact telephone numbers 95-422-2454545/ 2456006/ 2306600.
BSNL has also announced the launch of “Excel Sumo Plan” which has come into effect from November 1. Under this new plan, call charges would be 99 paise per minute to any local network.
According to the announcement, the cost of the starter pack would be Rs. 249 (inclusive of service tax) with a validity of one year, talk value of Rs. 30 along with starter pack, recharge by top-up cards, friends and family calls to any two BSNL numbers (one landline number compulsory) would be at 50 paise per minute.
Charges after free 365 SMS would be 25 paise. For further details, contact phone numbers 95-422-2454545/ 2456006 or 2306600.
The reduction in call charges during night would be applicable for all prepaid plans (except Lifetime Anant) and all post-paid customers with effect from November 1. Call charges for intra and inter-circle calls terminating in Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited network at 50 per cent of the peak hour (7 a.m. to 11 p.m.) call charges in the respective plan.
Local SMS (short messaging service) during off peak hours (11 p.m. to 7 a.m.) charged at 50 per cent of the peak hour (7 a.m. to 11 p.m.) SMS rate in the respective plan. No fixed charges would be applicable for this facility, according to the announcement that has been made by Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited. The offer would be valid for 90 days from November 1. The facility of speaking at night at half rate would not be applicable to calls that were made while roaming. This included both national and international roaming. Local short messaging service (SMS) includes SMS terminating in other telephone networks also.
For further details, contact telephone numbers 95-422-2454545/ 2456006/ 2306600.
BSNL has also announced the launch of “Excel Sumo Plan” which has come into effect from November 1. Under this new plan, call charges would be 99 paise per minute to any local network.
According to the announcement, the cost of the starter pack would be Rs. 249 (inclusive of service tax) with a validity of one year, talk value of Rs. 30 along with starter pack, recharge by top-up cards, friends and family calls to any two BSNL numbers (one landline number compulsory) would be at 50 paise per minute.
Charges after free 365 SMS would be 25 paise. For further details, contact phone numbers 95-422-2454545/ 2456006 or 2306600.
Training programme using CATIA software
UMS Technologies Training Centre, a division of the G.D. Naidu Group of Training Institutions, is launching an employment-oriented training programme using CATIA CAD/CAM software. This high-end software is used for design and manufacture in automobile and aerospace industries across the world.
According to a release, UMS will provide a number of short-term courses in CAD/CAM/CAE and CNC Lathe and Milling Machinery using Auto CAD, Pro/Engineer, Solidworks, Delcam and Cimatron ‘E.’
Students will be given live projects in modelling and manufacturing and will be given exposure in all areas of the subjects they choose. Apart from the regular syllabus, specific skills sets required in various jobs in engineering design and manufacturing will be imparted to students.
Candidates completing CAD/CAM/CAE courses can opt for jobs as product designers. The institute would also provide placement assistance. For details, contact 9994866844.
According to a release, UMS will provide a number of short-term courses in CAD/CAM/CAE and CNC Lathe and Milling Machinery using Auto CAD, Pro/Engineer, Solidworks, Delcam and Cimatron ‘E.’
Students will be given live projects in modelling and manufacturing and will be given exposure in all areas of the subjects they choose. Apart from the regular syllabus, specific skills sets required in various jobs in engineering design and manufacturing will be imparted to students.
Candidates completing CAD/CAM/CAE courses can opt for jobs as product designers. The institute would also provide placement assistance. For details, contact 9994866844.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Rain lashes city, suburbs
Incessant downpour lashed majority of the areas in Coimbatore district on Monday leading to inundation of residential areas, tanks and ponds reaching the brim.
The downpour since Monday morning resulted in copious inflow into the reservoirs, lakes, tanks and ponds across the district forcing the revenue administration and police, fire and rescue services personnel to be in a state of readiness.
In Coimbatore city, the administration is maintaining a round-the-clock vigil of the tanks and ponds as many of them have reached the brim. Because of the rain in the city and in the Western Ghats, inflow into the tanks and ponds continued to be copious. In Coimbatore, almost all the 18 tanks reached the brim causing anxiety for the residents living nearby and for the authorities.
Reports of likely breach of Valankulam caused tense moments among the residents at Sungam. Similarly, inundation of farms and colonies in Chettipalayam also caused concern.
Public Works Department authorities reported a steady inflow into the reservoirs under the Parambikulam Aliyar Project. According to the reports reaching the district headquarters, Chinna Kallar received 58 mm, Anaimalai Chincona 34, Sholayar 24, Valparai taluk 23, Airport 21, Pollachi 21, Valparai PAP 19, Sulur 18.5, Palladam 16, Periyanaickenpalayam 13, Coimbatore South 8.2, Annur 7, TNAU 7.5, Amaravathy 5, Avanashi 2.5, Thirumurthy dam 1 and Udumalpet 1.
The downpour since Monday morning resulted in copious inflow into the reservoirs, lakes, tanks and ponds across the district forcing the revenue administration and police, fire and rescue services personnel to be in a state of readiness.
In Coimbatore city, the administration is maintaining a round-the-clock vigil of the tanks and ponds as many of them have reached the brim. Because of the rain in the city and in the Western Ghats, inflow into the tanks and ponds continued to be copious. In Coimbatore, almost all the 18 tanks reached the brim causing anxiety for the residents living nearby and for the authorities.
Reports of likely breach of Valankulam caused tense moments among the residents at Sungam. Similarly, inundation of farms and colonies in Chettipalayam also caused concern.
Public Works Department authorities reported a steady inflow into the reservoirs under the Parambikulam Aliyar Project. According to the reports reaching the district headquarters, Chinna Kallar received 58 mm, Anaimalai Chincona 34, Sholayar 24, Valparai taluk 23, Airport 21, Pollachi 21, Valparai PAP 19, Sulur 18.5, Palladam 16, Periyanaickenpalayam 13, Coimbatore South 8.2, Annur 7, TNAU 7.5, Amaravathy 5, Avanashi 2.5, Thirumurthy dam 1 and Udumalpet 1.
Singapore team upbeat about Coimbatore
The direct flight connectivity between Coimbatore and Singapore will help build stronger connections between industries, according to George Abraham, who heads a business delegation from Singapore.
The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry-Singapore Business Federation delegation held meetings with members of the Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Coimbatore, on Monday.
Mr. Abraham told presspersons that Coimbatore was a city that had tremendous potential to do business with. There was a lot more here apart from textiles and machine tools.
The direct flight service between Singapore and Coimbatore not only opened the gate for more tourism business but also for stronger connection between the industries. Singapore was the 13th largest trading nation in the world.
“Our turnover of trade is tremendous. Our manufacturing companies have been able to value add, move up in manufacturing and are willing to work with partners here,” he said.
Some of the areas that could be explored for business association were engineering, tourism and agriculture product processing.
The companies here could join hands with those in Singapore to move goods to larger markets. Maybe companies here needed co-branding, additional machinery etc. and, they would be able to get this by partnering with those in Singapore. “Our companies will be looking for manufacturing partners,” he said.
“By partnering, if we can have growth of industries here that will be able to service South East Asian countries and more, why not look at it,” he said.
The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry-Singapore Business Federation delegation held meetings with members of the Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Coimbatore, on Monday.
Mr. Abraham told presspersons that Coimbatore was a city that had tremendous potential to do business with. There was a lot more here apart from textiles and machine tools.
The direct flight service between Singapore and Coimbatore not only opened the gate for more tourism business but also for stronger connection between the industries. Singapore was the 13th largest trading nation in the world.
“Our turnover of trade is tremendous. Our manufacturing companies have been able to value add, move up in manufacturing and are willing to work with partners here,” he said.
Some of the areas that could be explored for business association were engineering, tourism and agriculture product processing.
The companies here could join hands with those in Singapore to move goods to larger markets. Maybe companies here needed co-branding, additional machinery etc. and, they would be able to get this by partnering with those in Singapore. “Our companies will be looking for manufacturing partners,” he said.
“By partnering, if we can have growth of industries here that will be able to service South East Asian countries and more, why not look at it,” he said.
Monday, October 29, 2007
Direct flight service between Singapore and Coimbatore
The direct flight service between Singapore and Coimbatore would help in promoting industrial, business as well as leisure travel prospects on either side, observed David Lim, Vice-President (Commercial) of Silk Air, on Sunday.
Silk Air would provide connectivity from Singapore for tourists from Australia, the U.S., the U.K. and other parts of the world to visit destinations in and around Coimbatore. He was talking to reporters after inaugurating the first direct flight service of Silk Air between Coimbatore and Singapore.
The inaugural flight from Singapore had over 95 per cent occupancy while the outgoing first flight to Singapore had over 65 per cent occupancy. It would have been higher, if the inaugural flight time was not advanced, he said.
The dignitaries launched the first service by cutting a cake. Captains Shri Ram and Mandesh Singh along the flight crew were honoured.
Mr. David said with the major metro cities having reached a saturation level Silk Air was looking at the business prospects in fast growing cities such as Coimbatore. Silk Air was focussing on business tourists as well as leisure travellers.
To foster business and industrial ties, Silk Air in its first flight from Singapore on Sunday brought in a delegation of Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The delegation would meet industrial and business houses and explore areas where there could be ties for encouraging investments. The delegation was hoping for fruitful efforts on education and textile machinery segments. Mr. Lim said Silk Air was waiting for a long to launch its service to Coimbatore. He said a study team was constituted in 2004 which suggested operation of services to Coimbatore. But the plans could not be materialised since they had to wait for a review of the air service agreement between the two countries.
“When the review of the agreement this year gave the opportunity Silk Air came into Coimbatore,” he said.
On increasing frequency between Singapore and Coimbatore, David said a city such as Coimbatore with so much of potential required more services and added that depending on patronage the number of services would be increased.
On the cargo freighter, Mr. Lim said as such the passenger flights could take up to three tonnes of cargo and if there was more demand, Silk Air would impress upon Singapore Airlines to commence cargo services.
As of now, Coimbatore is the third city in the South India next to Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi for Silk Air. Mr. Prabhu said India’s tourism office at Singapore would showcase the opportunities and potentials in terms of business, tourism and culture in this part of the country. Minister for Rural Industries Pongalur N. Palanisamy, Nilgiris MP R. Prabhu, Coimbatore Mayor R. Venkatachalam, Customs Commissioner C. Rajendran, Airport Director K. Hemalatha, Manager Public Affairs of Silk Air Renu Nair, Manager India of Silk Air Ramachandra Menon and Manager of Silk Air L. Ravindran, Coimbatore, were among those who took part in the inaugural function.
Silk Air would provide connectivity from Singapore for tourists from Australia, the U.S., the U.K. and other parts of the world to visit destinations in and around Coimbatore. He was talking to reporters after inaugurating the first direct flight service of Silk Air between Coimbatore and Singapore.
The inaugural flight from Singapore had over 95 per cent occupancy while the outgoing first flight to Singapore had over 65 per cent occupancy. It would have been higher, if the inaugural flight time was not advanced, he said.
The dignitaries launched the first service by cutting a cake. Captains Shri Ram and Mandesh Singh along the flight crew were honoured.
Mr. David said with the major metro cities having reached a saturation level Silk Air was looking at the business prospects in fast growing cities such as Coimbatore. Silk Air was focussing on business tourists as well as leisure travellers.
To foster business and industrial ties, Silk Air in its first flight from Singapore on Sunday brought in a delegation of Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The delegation would meet industrial and business houses and explore areas where there could be ties for encouraging investments. The delegation was hoping for fruitful efforts on education and textile machinery segments. Mr. Lim said Silk Air was waiting for a long to launch its service to Coimbatore. He said a study team was constituted in 2004 which suggested operation of services to Coimbatore. But the plans could not be materialised since they had to wait for a review of the air service agreement between the two countries.
“When the review of the agreement this year gave the opportunity Silk Air came into Coimbatore,” he said.
On increasing frequency between Singapore and Coimbatore, David said a city such as Coimbatore with so much of potential required more services and added that depending on patronage the number of services would be increased.
On the cargo freighter, Mr. Lim said as such the passenger flights could take up to three tonnes of cargo and if there was more demand, Silk Air would impress upon Singapore Airlines to commence cargo services.
As of now, Coimbatore is the third city in the South India next to Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi for Silk Air. Mr. Prabhu said India’s tourism office at Singapore would showcase the opportunities and potentials in terms of business, tourism and culture in this part of the country. Minister for Rural Industries Pongalur N. Palanisamy, Nilgiris MP R. Prabhu, Coimbatore Mayor R. Venkatachalam, Customs Commissioner C. Rajendran, Airport Director K. Hemalatha, Manager Public Affairs of Silk Air Renu Nair, Manager India of Silk Air Ramachandra Menon and Manager of Silk Air L. Ravindran, Coimbatore, were among those who took part in the inaugural function.
Coimbatore Airport expansion to start soon
The Airport Authority of India has given its approval for modification and expansion of the Coimbatore Airport terminal buildings at an outlay of Rs. 78 crore. The project, to be implemented in two years, will give the airport a new look and a host of new facilities.
Airport Director K. Hemalatha confirmed the approval and said the project would include installation of two new aerobridges, elevators/escalators and a conveyor belt to carry baggage. At present the airport does not have an aerobridge and passengers have to walk through the tarmac/apron and climb the passenger step ladder (PSL) vehicle to get onto the flight. Aerobridges take the passengers straight into the flight from the terminal building. Aerobridges will also help reduce human or vehicle movement on the tarmac.
Coimbatore airport already has international flight connectivity to Sharjah by Air Arabia and Indian while Sri Lankan and Silk Air are scheduled to commence shortly their services to Colombo and Singapore respectively.
The aerobridges would be immensely useful, sources said. When there are no international flights, bigger aircraft on the domestic sector also could use these aerobridges.
The VIP lounge and the passenger waiting area in the departure and arrival halls would get a facelift with new chairs and trolleys, said the sources.
Efforts are on to get feeder conveyors that will feed the luggage onto the conveyor directly after weighing it. Customs counters will be fully refurbished and there will be adequate space for new facilities such as customs duty paid shop and foreign exchange counters.
With the available land every possible improvement was being made to keep pace with growth, the sources said.
Airport Director K. Hemalatha confirmed the approval and said the project would include installation of two new aerobridges, elevators/escalators and a conveyor belt to carry baggage. At present the airport does not have an aerobridge and passengers have to walk through the tarmac/apron and climb the passenger step ladder (PSL) vehicle to get onto the flight. Aerobridges take the passengers straight into the flight from the terminal building. Aerobridges will also help reduce human or vehicle movement on the tarmac.
Coimbatore airport already has international flight connectivity to Sharjah by Air Arabia and Indian while Sri Lankan and Silk Air are scheduled to commence shortly their services to Colombo and Singapore respectively.
The aerobridges would be immensely useful, sources said. When there are no international flights, bigger aircraft on the domestic sector also could use these aerobridges.
The VIP lounge and the passenger waiting area in the departure and arrival halls would get a facelift with new chairs and trolleys, said the sources.
Efforts are on to get feeder conveyors that will feed the luggage onto the conveyor directly after weighing it. Customs counters will be fully refurbished and there will be adequate space for new facilities such as customs duty paid shop and foreign exchange counters.
With the available land every possible improvement was being made to keep pace with growth, the sources said.
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Deepavali sweets for a noble cause
Buying a box of Deepavali sweets could make a difference to a student studying in the rural pockets of the city.
The Rotary Club of Coimbatore East is producing about five tonnes of Deepavali sweets this year with an objective of raising funds for its project ‘Vidyadhaan.’
Infrastructure
The proceeds from the sale of sweets would go into the purchase of benches and desks for schools in rural areas that lack basic infrastructure facilities.
“Owing to lack of facilities, the students sit on the floor and this leads to physical discomfort. It also prompts them to drop out of school,” says S.P. Manoharan, Project Chairman.
‘Pure ghee’ sweets
The ‘pure ghee’ sweets will have lots of variety – jalebis, soan papdi, laddoo and carrot cakes, all included.
Dry fruits will also be for sale. One has to spend Rs.145 a kg. Those who order 250 kg will get a free Fisher brand shower booster pump worth Rs.14,450, says Mr. Manoharan. For five tonnes of sweets, about Rs.7.5 lakh would be spent, he adds. They have also started receiving orders.
A stall would be put up opposite Suguna Kalyana Mandapam in the first week of November.
“The public do not always respond well to requests for donations. Through sale of sweets, we hope to raise enough funds for the project,” he says.
Four schools in Sultanpettai, Sencherimalai, Edayarpalayam and Kamarajar Road had been identified for the project.
These schools in total required 220 benches and desks.
For booking sweets or for information regarding booking, call 9843059659.
The Rotary Club of Coimbatore East is producing about five tonnes of Deepavali sweets this year with an objective of raising funds for its project ‘Vidyadhaan.’
Infrastructure
The proceeds from the sale of sweets would go into the purchase of benches and desks for schools in rural areas that lack basic infrastructure facilities.
“Owing to lack of facilities, the students sit on the floor and this leads to physical discomfort. It also prompts them to drop out of school,” says S.P. Manoharan, Project Chairman.
‘Pure ghee’ sweets
The ‘pure ghee’ sweets will have lots of variety – jalebis, soan papdi, laddoo and carrot cakes, all included.
Dry fruits will also be for sale. One has to spend Rs.145 a kg. Those who order 250 kg will get a free Fisher brand shower booster pump worth Rs.14,450, says Mr. Manoharan. For five tonnes of sweets, about Rs.7.5 lakh would be spent, he adds. They have also started receiving orders.
A stall would be put up opposite Suguna Kalyana Mandapam in the first week of November.
“The public do not always respond well to requests for donations. Through sale of sweets, we hope to raise enough funds for the project,” he says.
Four schools in Sultanpettai, Sencherimalai, Edayarpalayam and Kamarajar Road had been identified for the project.
These schools in total required 220 benches and desks.
For booking sweets or for information regarding booking, call 9843059659.
City in Shambles when it rains
Just an hour’s heavy rain is enough to expose how vulnerable the city is to flooding. Subways get flooded and this leads to flyovers getting choked with traffic. Every year, monsoon exposes the faulty storm water drain across the city. Instances of water logging and the resultant traffic snarls reveal that the lessons during the downpour last November have not been learnt.
The Coimbatore Corporation says a separate scheme for storm water drains under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission will provide a lasting solution.
But, it will take at least three to five years for implementation. This implies that the city will have to live with the problem if no temporary measure is taken to eliminate water stagnation that seems to worsen with every monsoon.
The subway under the Avanashi Road flyover is a source of frustration for the administration. Heavy rain last week flooded the subway used by autorickshaws and two-wheelers. Police recently have begun efforts to make these vehicles use the subway to reduce congestion on the flyover. Following orders from District Collector Neeraj Mittal, the concrete surface in the subway was re-laid and lights were installed. But, water stagnation has defeated these efforts.
The underpass near Kikani school is already providing indications of the flooding to come. There has not been much trouble at the Lanka Corner underpass, but there is no guarantee that flooding will not happen. All the underpasses that connect the eastern part of the city with the west seem to be rain water collection points because of the lack of a good drainage. Another problem spot is the Lawley Road junction where heavy rain leads to sewerage bursts.
Mayor R. Venkatachalam admits that poor storm water drains are turning into a major problem. “We have asked the consultant to speed up the process of preparing the project for storm water drains. We admit that heavy rain calls for special efforts to tackle the problem.”
Regular users of the Avanashi Road Flyover say driving on it is very frustrating for about two hours from 6 p.m. Meanwhile, Coimbatore MP K. Subbarayan has called for constituting an experts team to study the condition of the flyover.
He told presspersons on Tuesday: “The parapet is weak and the flyover’s condition poses risk to people, especially when there is heavy volume of traffic.” The flooding of subways and underpasses splits the city into two, with each side remaining cut off from the other for long periods, he pointed out.
Referring to water stagnation on main roads, he said remedial measures should be taken up on a large scale as the current situation was detrimental to the growth of an industrial region.
In a release on Wednesday, State secretary of Bharatiya Janata Party G.K.S. Selvakumar, called for immediate steps to prevent flooding. Rain had exposed the inadequate infrastructure in the city, he said.
The Coimbatore Corporation says a separate scheme for storm water drains under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission will provide a lasting solution.
But, it will take at least three to five years for implementation. This implies that the city will have to live with the problem if no temporary measure is taken to eliminate water stagnation that seems to worsen with every monsoon.
The subway under the Avanashi Road flyover is a source of frustration for the administration. Heavy rain last week flooded the subway used by autorickshaws and two-wheelers. Police recently have begun efforts to make these vehicles use the subway to reduce congestion on the flyover. Following orders from District Collector Neeraj Mittal, the concrete surface in the subway was re-laid and lights were installed. But, water stagnation has defeated these efforts.
The underpass near Kikani school is already providing indications of the flooding to come. There has not been much trouble at the Lanka Corner underpass, but there is no guarantee that flooding will not happen. All the underpasses that connect the eastern part of the city with the west seem to be rain water collection points because of the lack of a good drainage. Another problem spot is the Lawley Road junction where heavy rain leads to sewerage bursts.
Mayor R. Venkatachalam admits that poor storm water drains are turning into a major problem. “We have asked the consultant to speed up the process of preparing the project for storm water drains. We admit that heavy rain calls for special efforts to tackle the problem.”
Regular users of the Avanashi Road Flyover say driving on it is very frustrating for about two hours from 6 p.m. Meanwhile, Coimbatore MP K. Subbarayan has called for constituting an experts team to study the condition of the flyover.
He told presspersons on Tuesday: “The parapet is weak and the flyover’s condition poses risk to people, especially when there is heavy volume of traffic.” The flooding of subways and underpasses splits the city into two, with each side remaining cut off from the other for long periods, he pointed out.
Referring to water stagnation on main roads, he said remedial measures should be taken up on a large scale as the current situation was detrimental to the growth of an industrial region.
In a release on Wednesday, State secretary of Bharatiya Janata Party G.K.S. Selvakumar, called for immediate steps to prevent flooding. Rain had exposed the inadequate infrastructure in the city, he said.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Foundries on Strike
The indefinite strike by small and tiny foundries here entered the second day on Tuesday.
Rrepresentatives of the Coimbatore Small and Tiny Foundry Owners’ Association met the Rural Industries Minister, Pongalur N. Palanisamy.
They sought supply of some of the main raw materials to the foundries through the Tamil Nadu Small Industries Development Corporation. The foundry owners also met the Managing Director of the Corporation, G. Santhanam.
The small and tiny foundries are on strike here demanding steps by the Central and State Governments to control the spiralling prices of pig iron, coke and scrap.
The engineering units, which are the main buyers of the castings manufactured in the foundries, have expressed their support to the strike.
Rrepresentatives of the Coimbatore Small and Tiny Foundry Owners’ Association met the Rural Industries Minister, Pongalur N. Palanisamy.
They sought supply of some of the main raw materials to the foundries through the Tamil Nadu Small Industries Development Corporation. The foundry owners also met the Managing Director of the Corporation, G. Santhanam.
The small and tiny foundries are on strike here demanding steps by the Central and State Governments to control the spiralling prices of pig iron, coke and scrap.
The engineering units, which are the main buyers of the castings manufactured in the foundries, have expressed their support to the strike.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Collecting Parking fee is Nonsense !!!
The Coimbatore Consumer Cause has assailed the Coimbatore Corporation on the fee it collects for parking vehicles at the new lot opened on Cross-Cut Road on Sunday.
Reacting to the Corporation’s resolution in the Council that Rs.20 will be collected for cars parked for six hours and Rs.10 for two-wheelers, the consumer body’s secretary K. Kathirmathiyon said on Monday that such an exorbitant fee was unacceptable.
Hourly basis
On Mayor R. Venkatachalam saying after the inauguration of the lot on Sunday that the Corporation would reconsider the fee and fix rates on hourly basis, Mr. Kathirmathiyon said that the Corporation should not be collecting a fee at all on Cross-Cut Road.
“The Corporation should be held accountable for the lack of parking space in the commercial complexes on this road,” he said.
Pointing out to the building rule violations in the structures, which led to the lack of parking space, the consumer activist said that this was the reason why the public were forced to park their vehicles along the road. This, in turn, caused congestion on this busy stretch.
Preventive measure
“As the Corporation did not stop these violations or take any corrective measures to ensure that parking space was provided, the civic body should be penalised. Instead, it seeks to pass the consequences of the problem on to the people by levying a fee.”
Case
Mr. Kathirmathiyon recalled the case his organisation had filed in the court to seek the abolition of the parking fee collected more than five years ago on this road.
“I had pointed out that this was a problem allowed to thrive by the Corporation. Therefore, the civic body could not penalise the public by collecting a parking fee. I reiterate this point now. There is no need to ask for a reduction in the fee now. It just cannot be collected. The Corporation has no justifiable reason to collect it,” he said.
Reacting to the Corporation’s resolution in the Council that Rs.20 will be collected for cars parked for six hours and Rs.10 for two-wheelers, the consumer body’s secretary K. Kathirmathiyon said on Monday that such an exorbitant fee was unacceptable.
Hourly basis
On Mayor R. Venkatachalam saying after the inauguration of the lot on Sunday that the Corporation would reconsider the fee and fix rates on hourly basis, Mr. Kathirmathiyon said that the Corporation should not be collecting a fee at all on Cross-Cut Road.
“The Corporation should be held accountable for the lack of parking space in the commercial complexes on this road,” he said.
Pointing out to the building rule violations in the structures, which led to the lack of parking space, the consumer activist said that this was the reason why the public were forced to park their vehicles along the road. This, in turn, caused congestion on this busy stretch.
Preventive measure
“As the Corporation did not stop these violations or take any corrective measures to ensure that parking space was provided, the civic body should be penalised. Instead, it seeks to pass the consequences of the problem on to the people by levying a fee.”
Case
Mr. Kathirmathiyon recalled the case his organisation had filed in the court to seek the abolition of the parking fee collected more than five years ago on this road.
“I had pointed out that this was a problem allowed to thrive by the Corporation. Therefore, the civic body could not penalise the public by collecting a parking fee. I reiterate this point now. There is no need to ask for a reduction in the fee now. It just cannot be collected. The Corporation has no justifiable reason to collect it,” he said.
Monday, October 22, 2007
Proposal to establish nano-facility
An expert team from Arkansas University, U.S., is visiting Chennai to discuss with Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi on establishing a manufacturing facility to produce low-cost drugs/medical devices that would be in the reach of common man.
The Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, has submitted a proposal to establish a Nano-facility Centre on its campus with support from the American university and State Government through an initial investment of Rs.20 crore for treatment of diabetes, HIV/AIDS, Parkinson’s disease and heart ailments. G. Thiruvasagam, Vice-Chancellor of Bharathiar University, told The Hindu here on Sunday that the meeting with Chief Minister is likely to take place by October 24 or 25 in which officials from the two universities, health and higher education departments, and others would participate. Representatives from Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) would also take part.
Infrastructure ready
“We have already provided basic infrastructure and equipment to qualify Bharathiar University for this facility. The centre will start manufacturing after getting the Government’s nod,” he said.
According to Dr. Thiruvasagam, the Arkansas University has been pioneering research and production in nano-technology fields and that expertise would now be available for Bharathiar University also. A team from Coimbatore including the Vice-Chancellor and Government representatives had visited the U.S. during September to explore the possibility of partnership.
Explaining the significance of the project, the Vice-Chancellor said that products such as ‘glucose sensor watch’ would be available for diabetes patients at Rs.500 and drugs for other diseases will be at an affordable cost.
The Global Nano-Medicine Initiative Programme, of which former U.S. President Bill Clinton is the chairman, will also be a partner in the Bharathiar University’s initiative by extending its funding/expertise and technology through Arkansas University.
The Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, has submitted a proposal to establish a Nano-facility Centre on its campus with support from the American university and State Government through an initial investment of Rs.20 crore for treatment of diabetes, HIV/AIDS, Parkinson’s disease and heart ailments. G. Thiruvasagam, Vice-Chancellor of Bharathiar University, told The Hindu here on Sunday that the meeting with Chief Minister is likely to take place by October 24 or 25 in which officials from the two universities, health and higher education departments, and others would participate. Representatives from Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) would also take part.
Infrastructure ready
“We have already provided basic infrastructure and equipment to qualify Bharathiar University for this facility. The centre will start manufacturing after getting the Government’s nod,” he said.
According to Dr. Thiruvasagam, the Arkansas University has been pioneering research and production in nano-technology fields and that expertise would now be available for Bharathiar University also. A team from Coimbatore including the Vice-Chancellor and Government representatives had visited the U.S. during September to explore the possibility of partnership.
Explaining the significance of the project, the Vice-Chancellor said that products such as ‘glucose sensor watch’ would be available for diabetes patients at Rs.500 and drugs for other diseases will be at an affordable cost.
The Global Nano-Medicine Initiative Programme, of which former U.S. President Bill Clinton is the chairman, will also be a partner in the Bharathiar University’s initiative by extending its funding/expertise and technology through Arkansas University.
Coimbatore-Singapore Silk Air direct flight from October 28
Silk Air, the regional wing of Singapore Airlines, will launch its Coimbatore-Singapore-Coimbatore weekly thrice direct flight service on October 28. This becomes the first ever connectivity between the two cities.
Ramachandra Menon, Manager India and L. Ravindran, Coimbatore Manager for Silk Air announced this to presspersons on Friday.
Coimbatore becomes the third destination for Silk Air in south India next to Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi.
Coimbatore airport has only one international connectivity for Sharjah by Indian and Air Arabia.
Silk Air officials said the new weekly thrice service would make for a capacity injection of 700 seats a week providing a boost to Coimbatore’s trade and tourism and to meet the growing demand for direct international connections to and from the city.
Ramachandra Menon, Manager India and L. Ravindran, Coimbatore Manager for Silk Air announced this to presspersons on Friday.
Coimbatore becomes the third destination for Silk Air in south India next to Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi.
Coimbatore airport has only one international connectivity for Sharjah by Indian and Air Arabia.
Silk Air officials said the new weekly thrice service would make for a capacity injection of 700 seats a week providing a boost to Coimbatore’s trade and tourism and to meet the growing demand for direct international connections to and from the city.
New parking lot on Cross-Cut Road
The Coimbatore Corporation opened on Sunday a parking lot on Cross-Cut Road (next to Lakshmi Complex) in order to decongest this stretch that is a major shopping area in the city.
Measuring more than 29,000 sq.ft., this site of the Corporation was once occupied by the civic body’s school. The structure had been in disuse for a long time and the rapidly rising number of vehicles parked on this road made the civic body to open this site for parking.
The Corporation said that close to 200 cars could be parked on this lot and this would ease the congestion on the parking space along the 1.2-km Cross-Cut Road. Mayor R. Venkatachalam said that this was, however, only a temporary arrangement.
The Corporation planned to have a multi-tier parking facility on this spot as part of a project under the Central Government’s infrastructure development programme, the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission. (Cross-Cut Road is one of the areas identified for multi-tier parking lots in the city.)
The Mayor said that Rural Industries Minister Pongalur N. Palanisamy, who opened the lot, also promised to provide his constituency development funds for two consecutive years if the Corporation wanted to build the multi-tier facility along this road.
Rates revision
The Mayor also said that the Corporation might take a fresh look at the parking fee fixed for cars and motorcycles. At present, the rates have been fixed at Rs.20 for a car for six hours of parking. In the wake of reservations over such a system, the Mayor said that a proposal to fix rates on an hourly basis would be placed before the Finance and Taxation Committee of the Coimbatore Corporation Council for its approval.
This would be viable for people who parked their vehicles for 30 minutes or even three hours. The rates on hourly basis would also avoid arguments that a vehicle’s stay at the lot had been only 20 minutes more than the stipulated period of six hours and therefore the extra rate could not be paid.
The Mayor said that a reserved site at Swarnabika Layout (Behind the old Ganga Hospital) would also be opened for parking till Deepavali.
“As there will be heavy rush for Deepavali shopping, we have decided to clean and open this site also for parking and a fee as in the case of the lot on Cross Cut Road will be collected,” he said.
Measuring more than 29,000 sq.ft., this site of the Corporation was once occupied by the civic body’s school. The structure had been in disuse for a long time and the rapidly rising number of vehicles parked on this road made the civic body to open this site for parking.
The Corporation said that close to 200 cars could be parked on this lot and this would ease the congestion on the parking space along the 1.2-km Cross-Cut Road. Mayor R. Venkatachalam said that this was, however, only a temporary arrangement.
The Corporation planned to have a multi-tier parking facility on this spot as part of a project under the Central Government’s infrastructure development programme, the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission. (Cross-Cut Road is one of the areas identified for multi-tier parking lots in the city.)
The Mayor said that Rural Industries Minister Pongalur N. Palanisamy, who opened the lot, also promised to provide his constituency development funds for two consecutive years if the Corporation wanted to build the multi-tier facility along this road.
Rates revision
The Mayor also said that the Corporation might take a fresh look at the parking fee fixed for cars and motorcycles. At present, the rates have been fixed at Rs.20 for a car for six hours of parking. In the wake of reservations over such a system, the Mayor said that a proposal to fix rates on an hourly basis would be placed before the Finance and Taxation Committee of the Coimbatore Corporation Council for its approval.
This would be viable for people who parked their vehicles for 30 minutes or even three hours. The rates on hourly basis would also avoid arguments that a vehicle’s stay at the lot had been only 20 minutes more than the stipulated period of six hours and therefore the extra rate could not be paid.
The Mayor said that a reserved site at Swarnabika Layout (Behind the old Ganga Hospital) would also be opened for parking till Deepavali.
“As there will be heavy rush for Deepavali shopping, we have decided to clean and open this site also for parking and a fee as in the case of the lot on Cross Cut Road will be collected,” he said.
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Twelve killed in building collapse
Twelve people died and eleven sustained severe injuries in Coimbatore city when an apartment building collapsed after heavy rain, police said on Saturday.
Three women and a boy were among those who died in the accident late on Friday.
Around 500 policemen were deployed to clear the debris and help with rescue work, city police commissioner CK Gandhirajam said.
The apartments built by the government 30 years ago had developed deep cracks and residents had been advised to move out for repair work.
"The building collapsed even as the victims were still busy packing all that they considered valuable," said a senior police official, who did not wish to be named.
Such accidents are common in India, where houses and flyovers often collapse because of heavy rain, poor construction materials or flouted of building regulations.
Three women and a boy were among those who died in the accident late on Friday.
Around 500 policemen were deployed to clear the debris and help with rescue work, city police commissioner CK Gandhirajam said.
The apartments built by the government 30 years ago had developed deep cracks and residents had been advised to move out for repair work.
"The building collapsed even as the victims were still busy packing all that they considered valuable," said a senior police official, who did not wish to be named.
Such accidents are common in India, where houses and flyovers often collapse because of heavy rain, poor construction materials or flouted of building regulations.
Friday, October 19, 2007
Corporation targets unhygienic meat stalls
Coimbatore Corporation carried out surprise checks at meat stalls on Thursday to find out whether they were hygienic.
A team led by the Corporation Veterinary Officer and Zoo Director S. Thirukumaran checked for hygiene at stalls in Gandhipuram, Ganapathy, Singanallur, Sowripalayam and Ramanathapuram. Dr. Thirukumaran said the surprise checks would continue in order to eliminate shops that stored and sold meat amid unhygienic conditions.
The officials found that goats were slaughtered at the stalls in violation of the rule that this should be done only at the slaughter houses. The team seized about 300 kg meat of animals slaughtered at the stalls.
All the stall owners were told that meat should be kept in glass shelves and not displayed openly. While this was one of the measures to ensure hygiene, the other was to have tiled flooring so that cleaning was made easy and effective.
Explaining the objective of the drive, Dr. Thirukumaran said: “The number of meats stalls is increasing in the city but many of them function under trees and even along drainage canals. This is not a healthy trend.”
Corporation Commissioner P. Muthuveeran had instructed that all meat stalls should have a standard size and facility that provided for safe storage and proper cleaning. With many stalls continuing to flout the instructions, the Commissioner had ordered for a fresh and continuous drive.
The Veterinary Officer said there was no proper disposal of meat waste by the stalls. This resulted in stray dogs feeding on the waste creating problems for people near the stalls.
A team led by the Corporation Veterinary Officer and Zoo Director S. Thirukumaran checked for hygiene at stalls in Gandhipuram, Ganapathy, Singanallur, Sowripalayam and Ramanathapuram. Dr. Thirukumaran said the surprise checks would continue in order to eliminate shops that stored and sold meat amid unhygienic conditions.
The officials found that goats were slaughtered at the stalls in violation of the rule that this should be done only at the slaughter houses. The team seized about 300 kg meat of animals slaughtered at the stalls.
All the stall owners were told that meat should be kept in glass shelves and not displayed openly. While this was one of the measures to ensure hygiene, the other was to have tiled flooring so that cleaning was made easy and effective.
Explaining the objective of the drive, Dr. Thirukumaran said: “The number of meats stalls is increasing in the city but many of them function under trees and even along drainage canals. This is not a healthy trend.”
Corporation Commissioner P. Muthuveeran had instructed that all meat stalls should have a standard size and facility that provided for safe storage and proper cleaning. With many stalls continuing to flout the instructions, the Commissioner had ordered for a fresh and continuous drive.
The Veterinary Officer said there was no proper disposal of meat waste by the stalls. This resulted in stray dogs feeding on the waste creating problems for people near the stalls.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
GETIT launches Bizlist for Coimbatore
GETIT infoservices Limited has introduced an independent and unified telephone directory with most comprehensive and updated information in a new colour format “Bizlist” in Coimbatore and Tirupur.
The directory has several user-friendly features thereby making the search options more powerful.
Claiming that the directory was the first of its kind, GETIT said that the same would be released in the first quarter of 2008 and would be published every year thereafter.
Every business telephone subscriber from all the telecom services such as Tata, Reliance, BSNL, Vodafone, Airtel and Aircel would get a free listing in the GETIT Bizlist.
For additional charge, various advertising options were available in alphabetical order.
There would be a list of STD/ISD codes as well as details of trade fairs, exhibitions etc in the chronological order.
The directory has several user-friendly features thereby making the search options more powerful.
Claiming that the directory was the first of its kind, GETIT said that the same would be released in the first quarter of 2008 and would be published every year thereafter.
Every business telephone subscriber from all the telecom services such as Tata, Reliance, BSNL, Vodafone, Airtel and Aircel would get a free listing in the GETIT Bizlist.
For additional charge, various advertising options were available in alphabetical order.
There would be a list of STD/ISD codes as well as details of trade fairs, exhibitions etc in the chronological order.
Karunya University signs MoU with Nanonics Limited
Karunya University, Coimbatore, and Nanonics Limited, Israel, have entered into an agreement to establish a centre of excellence in Nanoscience and Technology.
According to a release, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by D.G.S. Dhinakaran, Chancellor of the University and Albert Amini, Chief Executive Officer, Nanonics Limited, Jerusalem. The objectives of the MoU were to undertake application oriented research and development at the Karunya University and the university hospital with expertise in physics, electrical, electronics and bio technology.
A technical team from Nanonics Limited was to develop relevant programmes for the centre of excellence for Nanoscience and Technology. It would act as the nodal centre in India for research and development. It would also initiate nanoscience programmes for UG and PG students. Establishing a speciality hospital with stem cell research was another objective of the MoU.
Registrar of Karunya University, Joseph Thomas, Anne Mary Fernandez, Vice Chancellor in-charge of the university and Sheeba Josef, Nanonics Limited, Israel, were present.
According to a release, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by D.G.S. Dhinakaran, Chancellor of the University and Albert Amini, Chief Executive Officer, Nanonics Limited, Jerusalem. The objectives of the MoU were to undertake application oriented research and development at the Karunya University and the university hospital with expertise in physics, electrical, electronics and bio technology.
A technical team from Nanonics Limited was to develop relevant programmes for the centre of excellence for Nanoscience and Technology. It would act as the nodal centre in India for research and development. It would also initiate nanoscience programmes for UG and PG students. Establishing a speciality hospital with stem cell research was another objective of the MoU.
Registrar of Karunya University, Joseph Thomas, Anne Mary Fernandez, Vice Chancellor in-charge of the university and Sheeba Josef, Nanonics Limited, Israel, were present.
Town bus stand opened at night for mofussil buses
Conceding the request of the police for easing traffic congestion at Gandhipuram area, the Coimbatore Mayor, R. Venkatachalam, has ordered for parking the City Town Bus stand at Gandhipuram open at night for operation of mofussil buses. The bus stand would be open for the operation of the mofussil buses after the town buses wind up their services. Hitherto, mofussil buses used to be parked on the road near bus stand on V.K.K. Menon Road. In the absence of a regulated system for buses, passengers used to board the buses in a hurry on sighting the bus.
This became a blessing in disguise for the criminals indulging in pocket picking, chain snatching and bag lifting. The City Police Commissioner, C.K. Gandhirajan, has promised to deploy personnel for providing adequate security to the passengers and their belongings and the properties inside the bus stand.
This became a blessing in disguise for the criminals indulging in pocket picking, chain snatching and bag lifting. The City Police Commissioner, C.K. Gandhirajan, has promised to deploy personnel for providing adequate security to the passengers and their belongings and the properties inside the bus stand.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Management games held in Coimbatore
NIILM Centre for Management Studies, Delhi, has emerged the winner in the 11th National Student Management Games held here on Tuesday.
ICFAI Business School, Mumbai and Institute of Management Technology, Ghaziabad, were the first and second runners up. At the PSG Institute of Management, nine teams from various parts of the country competed with each other for the finals on Tuesday. The groups were selected from the semi-finals held on Monday.
For the finalists, gaming is serious business. With eyes fixed on the laptop screen, they discussed strategies and drew up action plans for nerve-wracking business problems.
Conducted by the All India Management Association (AIMA), the games are very popular among the management students, especially those from the Southern region. “We have most number of participants from the southern region – 169 of the 263 participants are from the Southern States,” says Vikas Gupta, Deputy Director, AIMA. The game is all about replicating actual business situations.
Each group will have a chief executive officer, chief operating officer, chief marketing officer and a chief financial officer.
Each group is given a company and asked to manage it. They will have to take business decisions considering a fluctuating economy and market conditions. “Simulation games test the real potential of the students. They get an opportunity to apply their theoretical knowledge,” says S.C.Tyagi, Assistant Director of AIMA.
The game is not confined to management students. MCAs and engineers too can participate. For Suvidh Arora and Tripti Agarwal from the Institute of Management Technology, Ghaziabad, the game is all the more challenging. Two of their team mates could not make it and they are geared to battle it out themselves. “This game is all about handling situations. We are faced with a problem and we are handling it confidently,” says Suvidh.
“Each stage in the game is a challenge,” says Vishal Agrawal from ICFAI Business School, Mumbai. Vishal and his friend Abhay Jain are taking part in this game for the second consecutive year. Sumeet Tiwari and Hitesh Bhagchandani from the same institute are taking part for the first time. According to them, the game is a great learning experience.
ICFAI Business School, Mumbai and Institute of Management Technology, Ghaziabad, were the first and second runners up. At the PSG Institute of Management, nine teams from various parts of the country competed with each other for the finals on Tuesday. The groups were selected from the semi-finals held on Monday.
For the finalists, gaming is serious business. With eyes fixed on the laptop screen, they discussed strategies and drew up action plans for nerve-wracking business problems.
Conducted by the All India Management Association (AIMA), the games are very popular among the management students, especially those from the Southern region. “We have most number of participants from the southern region – 169 of the 263 participants are from the Southern States,” says Vikas Gupta, Deputy Director, AIMA. The game is all about replicating actual business situations.
Each group will have a chief executive officer, chief operating officer, chief marketing officer and a chief financial officer.
Each group is given a company and asked to manage it. They will have to take business decisions considering a fluctuating economy and market conditions. “Simulation games test the real potential of the students. They get an opportunity to apply their theoretical knowledge,” says S.C.Tyagi, Assistant Director of AIMA.
The game is not confined to management students. MCAs and engineers too can participate. For Suvidh Arora and Tripti Agarwal from the Institute of Management Technology, Ghaziabad, the game is all the more challenging. Two of their team mates could not make it and they are geared to battle it out themselves. “This game is all about handling situations. We are faced with a problem and we are handling it confidently,” says Suvidh.
“Each stage in the game is a challenge,” says Vishal Agrawal from ICFAI Business School, Mumbai. Vishal and his friend Abhay Jain are taking part in this game for the second consecutive year. Sumeet Tiwari and Hitesh Bhagchandani from the same institute are taking part for the first time. According to them, the game is a great learning experience.
Monday, October 08, 2007
Action against building rule violations begins in coimbatore
In a bid to expose buildings that are constructed violating rules the Local Planning Authority has started putting up notices in front them stating they have violated the approved or sanctioned building plan.
The authority chairman and District Collector Neeraj Mittal asked officials not to turn a blind eye on buildings being constructed violating rules.
The decision to put up posters in front of such buildings would prevent people from investing on such properties, officials said.
Ultimately it will result in promoters complying with laws. In an earlier directive authorities had asked promoters to display plan approval number, plan permission approval number and rough sketch of the building under section 49 of the Town and Country Planning Act-1971. The details should be written prominently to ensure visibility.
The promoters should keep a copy of these documents at the site for easy inspection and ratification by officials. It was found that many were not doing so.
Hence, the Member Secretary and Joint Director of the authority, G. Manickavasagam Pillai, has deputed a team of officers to identify buildings that are being constructed deviating from the plan approved by the local body and permission accorded by the authority.
A team of Planning Assistants led by K.M. Marudhavanan and C. Mathivanan had already identified 30 such buildings and pasted posters in front of them. It has cautioned people against occupying them on rent too.
In future, the authorities are planning to crack down on such buildings. It might cause huge losses for those who had either purchased them or rented them out.
Those deviating from the approved plan in terms of reducing the number of exits and those converting the parking area into commercial space would be dealt with sternly under section 56 (5) (b) (i) of the Town and Country Planning Act. In the event of people coming across non-compliance to instructions in terms of failure to install display boards, they can inform the officials at 0422-2497200.
The authorities said that identification of buildings with rule violations would continue till the promoters stop violating the approved plans.
The authority chairman and District Collector Neeraj Mittal asked officials not to turn a blind eye on buildings being constructed violating rules.
The decision to put up posters in front of such buildings would prevent people from investing on such properties, officials said.
Ultimately it will result in promoters complying with laws. In an earlier directive authorities had asked promoters to display plan approval number, plan permission approval number and rough sketch of the building under section 49 of the Town and Country Planning Act-1971. The details should be written prominently to ensure visibility.
The promoters should keep a copy of these documents at the site for easy inspection and ratification by officials. It was found that many were not doing so.
Hence, the Member Secretary and Joint Director of the authority, G. Manickavasagam Pillai, has deputed a team of officers to identify buildings that are being constructed deviating from the plan approved by the local body and permission accorded by the authority.
A team of Planning Assistants led by K.M. Marudhavanan and C. Mathivanan had already identified 30 such buildings and pasted posters in front of them. It has cautioned people against occupying them on rent too.
In future, the authorities are planning to crack down on such buildings. It might cause huge losses for those who had either purchased them or rented them out.
Those deviating from the approved plan in terms of reducing the number of exits and those converting the parking area into commercial space would be dealt with sternly under section 56 (5) (b) (i) of the Town and Country Planning Act. In the event of people coming across non-compliance to instructions in terms of failure to install display boards, they can inform the officials at 0422-2497200.
The authorities said that identification of buildings with rule violations would continue till the promoters stop violating the approved plans.
TNHB allottees warn of agitation
The Tamizhaga Veettu Vasathi Variya Orunkinaintha Othukeetalargal Nala sangham has decided to launch a series of agitations, including observance of a fast if its 21 demands were not met within a month.
A release from the sangham here has said that resolutions to this effect were passed at its general body meeting on October 2.
The demands included taking of steps to resolve all land acquisition cases pending before various courts. It appealed to the Housing Minister, I. Periyasamy, to instruct the Tamil Nadu Housing Board to desist from the practice of citing land acquisition cases as a reason for not giving sale deeds to allottees whose lands were not involved in any dispute.
Sale deeds should be given as the lease cum sale agreement. The association said that the allottees never demanded concessions or waiver in the cost of the properties given to them. They were ready to pay the cost agreed up on in the lease cum sale agreement.
The association objected to the practice of imposing additional interest, penal interest and capitalisation of the interests.
These overheads and increase in the cost of properties were primarily due to the lethargy of the board, administrative lapses and the board was trying to camouflage its failures by passing the burden onto the allottees.
The penal interests for the interests arising out of the land acquisition cases and the failure of the board to resolve these cases on time should be waived for the alllottees.
The Board should immediately stop the practice of going on appeals against the rulings of the Supreme Court and the Madras High Court. It should comply with the court directives in giving away the sale deeds to those who had completed payment.
A release from the sangham here has said that resolutions to this effect were passed at its general body meeting on October 2.
The demands included taking of steps to resolve all land acquisition cases pending before various courts. It appealed to the Housing Minister, I. Periyasamy, to instruct the Tamil Nadu Housing Board to desist from the practice of citing land acquisition cases as a reason for not giving sale deeds to allottees whose lands were not involved in any dispute.
Sale deeds should be given as the lease cum sale agreement. The association said that the allottees never demanded concessions or waiver in the cost of the properties given to them. They were ready to pay the cost agreed up on in the lease cum sale agreement.
The association objected to the practice of imposing additional interest, penal interest and capitalisation of the interests.
These overheads and increase in the cost of properties were primarily due to the lethargy of the board, administrative lapses and the board was trying to camouflage its failures by passing the burden onto the allottees.
The penal interests for the interests arising out of the land acquisition cases and the failure of the board to resolve these cases on time should be waived for the alllottees.
The Board should immediately stop the practice of going on appeals against the rulings of the Supreme Court and the Madras High Court. It should comply with the court directives in giving away the sale deeds to those who had completed payment.
Saturday, October 06, 2007
Are you the Kovai Genius?
Divyodaya Inter religious centre and SRKSN Educational Trust will organise a selection programme for identifying ‘Genius Kids’ in the district. There will be four categories – Standard I, II, III and IV.
Students will have to submit copies of their progress reports of the quarterly examinations of 2007-2008 and participation certificates in sports and cultural competitions from June 2006 to March 2007. Top ten students in each level will be given the award.
Copies of certificates and progress reports along with the filled up registration form should reach Divyodaya on or before October 10.
Registration fee is Rs. 20. The ‘Kovai Genius Award’ will be distributed to the winners on October 20 at 4 p.m. at Divyodaya.
All participants will be given certificates of participation.
Forms should be sent to Director, Divyodaya, 91, Geetha Hall Road, Coimbatore- 18. For details, call 2300966.
Students will have to submit copies of their progress reports of the quarterly examinations of 2007-2008 and participation certificates in sports and cultural competitions from June 2006 to March 2007. Top ten students in each level will be given the award.
Copies of certificates and progress reports along with the filled up registration form should reach Divyodaya on or before October 10.
Registration fee is Rs. 20. The ‘Kovai Genius Award’ will be distributed to the winners on October 20 at 4 p.m. at Divyodaya.
All participants will be given certificates of participation.
Forms should be sent to Director, Divyodaya, 91, Geetha Hall Road, Coimbatore- 18. For details, call 2300966.
Friday, September 14, 2007
Quality Inn Sabari plans to enter Coimbatore
Quality Inn Sabari, the quality Inn brand of Choice Hotels International, will open its second hotel at Navalur on the IT corridor and proposed to open four more hotels in IT destinations in the South, involving a total investment of about Rs 600 crore.
Talking to newspersons here, Sabari Inn Managing Director K R V Ramani said Sabari would open its four hotels at the IT destinations of Coimbatore, Pune, Bangalore and Hyderabad in the next three to four years.
"Our vision is to establish these hotels in the next three to four years and register a turnover of Rs 130 to Rs 150 crore," Mr Ramani said.
The ground breaking ceremony for the Coimbatore project would be held by the end of this month, he said adding all the hotels would be budget class with 100 to 120 rooms.
The 90-rooms Quality Hotel Sabari classic at Navalur, near here, to be inaugurated tomorrow, would offer both studio and apartment rooms, besides restaurants, health club and spa among other things, Mr Ramani added.
Talking to newspersons here, Sabari Inn Managing Director K R V Ramani said Sabari would open its four hotels at the IT destinations of Coimbatore, Pune, Bangalore and Hyderabad in the next three to four years.
"Our vision is to establish these hotels in the next three to four years and register a turnover of Rs 130 to Rs 150 crore," Mr Ramani said.
The ground breaking ceremony for the Coimbatore project would be held by the end of this month, he said adding all the hotels would be budget class with 100 to 120 rooms.
The 90-rooms Quality Hotel Sabari classic at Navalur, near here, to be inaugurated tomorrow, would offer both studio and apartment rooms, besides restaurants, health club and spa among other things, Mr Ramani added.
Nano facility centre at Bharathiar University
The proposed nano facility centre of Bharathiar University will take final shape in January when the stakeholders ink an agreement, said G. Thiruvasagam, Vice-Chancellor, Bharathiar University, here on Wednesday.
Stake holders
“Bharathiar University will provide land, manpower and execute the project, the Defence and Research Development Organisation will fund the infrastructure, the University of Arkansas will help establish the centre, and the State Government will draw up final plans in January after the modalities about state funding is decided by the Chief Minister,” he told reporters after recent visit to the University of Arkansas in the U.S.
M. Naganathan, vice-chairman of the State Planning Commission too had accompanied him to the U.S. to finalise the technical details of the project.
The Government was likely to be involved in the funding and setting up of a laboratory to work on the development of at least three nano-health products that would deal with the treatment of diabetes, Parkinson’s disease and heart attack.
“Private players will be involved in the production and manufacture of the products,” said Dr. Thiruvasagam.
Member
He said: “Bharathiar University will become a member of the Global Nano Medicine Initiative (headed by former U.S. President Bill Clinton). The Initiative will aid the university in setting up a “clean room facility” at a cost of $ 500 million.
The inauguration of the same is being planned for January and Mr. Clinton and the Chancellor of the University of Arkansas John A. White are expected to attend.”
Stake holders
“Bharathiar University will provide land, manpower and execute the project, the Defence and Research Development Organisation will fund the infrastructure, the University of Arkansas will help establish the centre, and the State Government will draw up final plans in January after the modalities about state funding is decided by the Chief Minister,” he told reporters after recent visit to the University of Arkansas in the U.S.
M. Naganathan, vice-chairman of the State Planning Commission too had accompanied him to the U.S. to finalise the technical details of the project.
The Government was likely to be involved in the funding and setting up of a laboratory to work on the development of at least three nano-health products that would deal with the treatment of diabetes, Parkinson’s disease and heart attack.
“Private players will be involved in the production and manufacture of the products,” said Dr. Thiruvasagam.
Member
He said: “Bharathiar University will become a member of the Global Nano Medicine Initiative (headed by former U.S. President Bill Clinton). The Initiative will aid the university in setting up a “clean room facility” at a cost of $ 500 million.
The inauguration of the same is being planned for January and Mr. Clinton and the Chancellor of the University of Arkansas John A. White are expected to attend.”
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Coimbatore User Group
Two students from Sri Krishna College of Engineering have embarked upon a novel initiative. Anmol Vij and Nishanth Babu, third year B.Tech Information Technology students, have got together engineering students of various colleges and formed a Coimbatore User Group.
True to the function of user groups, this group would impart the best of technical knowledge to the engineering student fraternity and create opportunities for fruitful discussions with professionals from the industry. “The main aim of the group is updating technical knowledge and sharing recent trends in IT,” says Mr.Anmol.
125 members
Any engineering student who is interested in remaining up-to-date on the developments taking place in the technology sector can be part of the group. Currently, the group has about 125 members, all students from various engineering colleges.
“The very first meeting itself had a huge turn-out of students. This shows that the interest for IT is still very high” he adds. The members of the group, through their personal contacts, have forged ties with professionals in companies such as Microsoft, CTS, TCS, IBM and CSC. “Some of them have even agreed to conduct seminars and talk about recent trends in technology to the students,” Mr.Anmol adds. The group has an online presence too. It has a website, on which all the activities of the group would be uploaded. It is also hoping for approval from the international user group of developers who use or support the .NET standard put out by Microsoft, (iNeta).
Technical magazine
The Coimbatore User Group has plans to launch a technical magazine. This 20-page magazine would be sponsored by Shakthi Institute of Engineering and Technology.
It will contain news related to new software, technologies, hardware, technical companies and engineering colleges.
They would send 50 free copies of the magazine to every engineering college and also to IT companies in Chennai and Bangalore.
The team plans to bring out a book later that will speak about the lives of engineering students.
!They would do projects using VB, .net, Java and other languages. It would also organise group discussions about subjects in the engineering curriculum.
The team will meet every Sunday for three hours.
For details, visit the Coimbatore User Group at www.cugstudents.com. Or phone: Anmol Vij at 9944148650. For registration, send an e-mail to cugstudents@gmail.com.
True to the function of user groups, this group would impart the best of technical knowledge to the engineering student fraternity and create opportunities for fruitful discussions with professionals from the industry. “The main aim of the group is updating technical knowledge and sharing recent trends in IT,” says Mr.Anmol.
125 members
Any engineering student who is interested in remaining up-to-date on the developments taking place in the technology sector can be part of the group. Currently, the group has about 125 members, all students from various engineering colleges.
“The very first meeting itself had a huge turn-out of students. This shows that the interest for IT is still very high” he adds. The members of the group, through their personal contacts, have forged ties with professionals in companies such as Microsoft, CTS, TCS, IBM and CSC. “Some of them have even agreed to conduct seminars and talk about recent trends in technology to the students,” Mr.Anmol adds. The group has an online presence too. It has a website, on which all the activities of the group would be uploaded. It is also hoping for approval from the international user group of developers who use or support the .NET standard put out by Microsoft, (iNeta).
Technical magazine
The Coimbatore User Group has plans to launch a technical magazine. This 20-page magazine would be sponsored by Shakthi Institute of Engineering and Technology.
It will contain news related to new software, technologies, hardware, technical companies and engineering colleges.
They would send 50 free copies of the magazine to every engineering college and also to IT companies in Chennai and Bangalore.
The team plans to bring out a book later that will speak about the lives of engineering students.
!They would do projects using VB, .net, Java and other languages. It would also organise group discussions about subjects in the engineering curriculum.
The team will meet every Sunday for three hours.
For details, visit the Coimbatore User Group at www.cugstudents.com. Or phone: Anmol Vij at 9944148650. For registration, send an e-mail to cugstudents@gmail.com.
Avanashi Road flyover maintenance plans
The underpass beneath the Avanashi Road flyover will be repaired and opened for traffic.
The District Collector, Neeraj Mittal; the City Police Commissioner, C.K. Gandhirajan; and the Corporation Commissioner, P. Muthuveeran; along with officials of the Corporation and Highways inspected the underpass beneath the flyover.
It was decided to provide more powerful lighting at the underpass so that it will be used by motorists without fear. The police have decided to post pickets and ply patrol vehicles to deter anti-social elements from converting the underpass into a den for unlawful activities.
The officials decided to carry out patch works and re-laying of the road. Officials have decided to divert the flow of vehicles especially two-wheelers and passenger auto-rickshaws through the underpass from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Collector said that the Corporation had already done enough works for arresting the seepage of water into the underpass which turned itslushy.
Motor pump sets have been repaired to prevent flooding of the underpass during rain.
The District Collector, Neeraj Mittal; the City Police Commissioner, C.K. Gandhirajan; and the Corporation Commissioner, P. Muthuveeran; along with officials of the Corporation and Highways inspected the underpass beneath the flyover.
It was decided to provide more powerful lighting at the underpass so that it will be used by motorists without fear. The police have decided to post pickets and ply patrol vehicles to deter anti-social elements from converting the underpass into a den for unlawful activities.
The officials decided to carry out patch works and re-laying of the road. Officials have decided to divert the flow of vehicles especially two-wheelers and passenger auto-rickshaws through the underpass from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Collector said that the Corporation had already done enough works for arresting the seepage of water into the underpass which turned itslushy.
Motor pump sets have been repaired to prevent flooding of the underpass during rain.
Friday, September 07, 2007
MBA programme in Airport and Airline Management
With the boom in aviation sector, scope for job opportunities are aplenty. This unique course, the first of its kind in the country, will provide you with an industry-specific programme. But, you have to work consistently to get a good job, R. Radhakrishnan, Vice-Chancellor of Anna University, Coimbatore, said here on Thursday.
Inaugurating the first MBA programme in Airport and Airline Management at the Nehru College of Aeronautics and Applied Sciences that would be conducted as a collaborative programme of the Anna University, Coimbatore, he urged students to learn one or two foreign languages to make them well equipped to work in airports outside the country. All post-graduate degree programmes of the university would have a compulsory foreign language paper shortly, he said. This would make students face international competition.
Website
Speaking on the uniqueness of the course, he said that the course material of the first semester along with the calendar schedule were loaded on the website. The fifth semester would be spent in the field to enable students get trained before getting a job.
K. Hemalatha, Director, Coimbatore Airport, said: “There are 35 non-metro airports lined up for development. The Coimbatore Airport itself will be expanded at a cost of Rs. 100 crore. However, this will be enough to sustain the growth only for the next five years.
Expansion and development should be able to face the growth for at least 25 years.”
She said that the aviation industry would offer more than two lakh jobs in the next 10 years.
An MBA in Airport and Airline Management was different from other management courses because all aspects of management were required in managing an airport.
“Nowadays airports face the added threat of terrorism. Disaster management and quick reaction to situations like grounding and air crashes are very important. If an airport team cannot react to a situation in three minutes, then it is poor management, because it involves saving lives.”
Effective
She urged the Vice-Chancellor to make the course effective and global in such a way that airport directors of small airports would also be treated on a par with those of metro airports and international airports.
P.C.K. Ravindran, Director, Aviation Management Studies and Advisor, Aeronautical Sciences of the college and N.G. Nair, Advisor, Nehru Group of Institutions, spoke.
Inaugurating the first MBA programme in Airport and Airline Management at the Nehru College of Aeronautics and Applied Sciences that would be conducted as a collaborative programme of the Anna University, Coimbatore, he urged students to learn one or two foreign languages to make them well equipped to work in airports outside the country. All post-graduate degree programmes of the university would have a compulsory foreign language paper shortly, he said. This would make students face international competition.
Website
Speaking on the uniqueness of the course, he said that the course material of the first semester along with the calendar schedule were loaded on the website. The fifth semester would be spent in the field to enable students get trained before getting a job.
K. Hemalatha, Director, Coimbatore Airport, said: “There are 35 non-metro airports lined up for development. The Coimbatore Airport itself will be expanded at a cost of Rs. 100 crore. However, this will be enough to sustain the growth only for the next five years.
Expansion and development should be able to face the growth for at least 25 years.”
She said that the aviation industry would offer more than two lakh jobs in the next 10 years.
An MBA in Airport and Airline Management was different from other management courses because all aspects of management were required in managing an airport.
“Nowadays airports face the added threat of terrorism. Disaster management and quick reaction to situations like grounding and air crashes are very important. If an airport team cannot react to a situation in three minutes, then it is poor management, because it involves saving lives.”
Effective
She urged the Vice-Chancellor to make the course effective and global in such a way that airport directors of small airports would also be treated on a par with those of metro airports and international airports.
P.C.K. Ravindran, Director, Aviation Management Studies and Advisor, Aeronautical Sciences of the college and N.G. Nair, Advisor, Nehru Group of Institutions, spoke.
'The Chamber Show 2007’ from October
The Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Coimbatore (ICCIC) will organise ‘The Chamber Show 2007’ from October 11 to 14 at Sri Ramakrishna Kalyana Mandapam here.
The show will feature a series of products, brands and services, with a special focus on products made in Coimbatore, D.Balasundaram, president of ICCIC, told presspersons here on Tuesday.
It would also serve as a platform for young manufacturers to showcase their new products and encourage young entrepreneurs too, he added.
Food, home appliances, interiors, home decorations, kitchen equipment, electrical gadgets, leather, stationery, security systems, building materials, jewellery, automobiles, insurance, home loans and textiles would be among the 117 exhibitors.
The show will feature a series of products, brands and services, with a special focus on products made in Coimbatore, D.Balasundaram, president of ICCIC, told presspersons here on Tuesday.
It would also serve as a platform for young manufacturers to showcase their new products and encourage young entrepreneurs too, he added.
Food, home appliances, interiors, home decorations, kitchen equipment, electrical gadgets, leather, stationery, security systems, building materials, jewellery, automobiles, insurance, home loans and textiles would be among the 117 exhibitors.
Rajagopuram thiruppani works at Koniamman temple
The State Government has accorded administrative and technical sanction for the construction of a Rajagopuram with seven tiers for the Koniamman Temple.
It would be built at a cost of Rs 30 lakh from the temple funds and Rs 80 lakh from donations.
The raja gopuram would soon become a landmark for identifying Coimbatore by virtue of aesthetic looking tallest gopuram in the City. It would be 83.2 ft tall, 46.7 ft width and 28 ft length. With the last kumbhabhiashekam having been performed on September 8, 1995 as per the ahama rules since it was 12 years since the last kumbhabiashkam, the raja goupram thiruppani works would be completed and a kumbhabiashkam would be performed.
It would be built at a cost of Rs 30 lakh from the temple funds and Rs 80 lakh from donations.
The raja gopuram would soon become a landmark for identifying Coimbatore by virtue of aesthetic looking tallest gopuram in the City. It would be 83.2 ft tall, 46.7 ft width and 28 ft length. With the last kumbhabhiashekam having been performed on September 8, 1995 as per the ahama rules since it was 12 years since the last kumbhabiashkam, the raja goupram thiruppani works would be completed and a kumbhabiashkam would be performed.
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
Speed up Tidel Park Project says BJP
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has demanded measures to speed up the Tidel Park project here.
In a letter to Union Communication and Information Technology Minister A. Raja, BJP State secretary G.K.S. Selvakumar has said that the project was first announced during the term of the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Government at the Centre.
Vajpayee’s visit
When Mr. Vajpayee had come here as Prime Minister, industry captains and experts had requested him and other Union Ministers for efforts to establish a Tidel park in Coimbatore, on the lines of the one in Chennai.
But, the pace at which the project progressed now, after the identification of the site and allocation of funds, only suggested that the Central and State Governments were ignoring it.
Dream of Coimbatore
Mr. Selvakumar requested the Minister for efforts to speed up the project as the park was the dream of Coimbatore.
It would provide direct and indirect employment to many youth qualified in information technology, the letter said.
In a letter to Union Communication and Information Technology Minister A. Raja, BJP State secretary G.K.S. Selvakumar has said that the project was first announced during the term of the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Government at the Centre.
Vajpayee’s visit
When Mr. Vajpayee had come here as Prime Minister, industry captains and experts had requested him and other Union Ministers for efforts to establish a Tidel park in Coimbatore, on the lines of the one in Chennai.
But, the pace at which the project progressed now, after the identification of the site and allocation of funds, only suggested that the Central and State Governments were ignoring it.
Dream of Coimbatore
Mr. Selvakumar requested the Minister for efforts to speed up the project as the park was the dream of Coimbatore.
It would provide direct and indirect employment to many youth qualified in information technology, the letter said.
GRD Matriculation to try online examinations
For the students of the GRD Matriculation Higher Secondary School here, examinations are going to be a different experience altogether. Students from Classes IV to IX will now take segments of the terminal and the final examinations online. The online exercise will be of 40 minutes duration.
The system does not substitute totally the conventional method of writing answers on paper but supplements it, says D. Prabha, school Principal. It is being introduced with the objective of making students more tech-savvy, and the school hopes to orient its students towards a life dominated by information technology.
Objective-type questions in mathematics, physical sciences, biology, social sciences and English will be taken online. The descriptive questions, however, will have to be attempted on paper, Ms. Prabha says.
The online system has its advantages. As the results are displayed immediately, students can assess themselves quickly. “All students will get an opportunity for direct and constructive feedback,” says Geetha Padmanabhan, secretary of the school. The evaluation is automated and without room for any bias. The online tests can sharpen various skills. According to clinical psychologist N. Lakshmanan, this kind of examination can reduce stress and anxiety of students.
The system does not substitute totally the conventional method of writing answers on paper but supplements it, says D. Prabha, school Principal. It is being introduced with the objective of making students more tech-savvy, and the school hopes to orient its students towards a life dominated by information technology.
Objective-type questions in mathematics, physical sciences, biology, social sciences and English will be taken online. The descriptive questions, however, will have to be attempted on paper, Ms. Prabha says.
The online system has its advantages. As the results are displayed immediately, students can assess themselves quickly. “All students will get an opportunity for direct and constructive feedback,” says Geetha Padmanabhan, secretary of the school. The evaluation is automated and without room for any bias. The online tests can sharpen various skills. According to clinical psychologist N. Lakshmanan, this kind of examination can reduce stress and anxiety of students.
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Passenger traffic soaring in Coimbatore Airport
Passenger and aircraft movements at the Coimbatore Airport have soared thanks to economic boom and entry of low cost airlines. Airport Director K. Hemalatha said SilkAir was planning to operate a weekly thrice service from Coimbatore to Singapore (to and fro flight) from October 28. The flight scheduled for Wednesday, Friday and Sunday will arrive at 11.30 p.m. and depart at 00.20 a.m. The airline is planning to operate A319 or A320 aircraft (120 or 180 seats respectively).
The Coimbatore–Singapore flight service becomes the second international connectivity for Coimbatore next to the Coimbatore– Sharjah weekly thrice service by Indian. Airport sources said Sri Lankan Airlines had evinced interest in operating a service from Coimbatore to Colombo and was even planning to have five services a week.
A team from the airline is coming to Coimbatore this week to finalise arrangements. Sources said there had been enquiries for the feasibility of a Coimbatore–Dubai connectivity and one of the Gulf-based airlines was likely to grab it. Spice Jet Airways is planning to operate services from Coimbatore with Bangalore, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Chennai likely to be the destinations. A Chennai-based firm ‘Dravidian Air’ was planning to operate services connecting major airports in the four southern states.
The Coimbatore–Singapore flight service becomes the second international connectivity for Coimbatore next to the Coimbatore– Sharjah weekly thrice service by Indian. Airport sources said Sri Lankan Airlines had evinced interest in operating a service from Coimbatore to Colombo and was even planning to have five services a week.
A team from the airline is coming to Coimbatore this week to finalise arrangements. Sources said there had been enquiries for the feasibility of a Coimbatore–Dubai connectivity and one of the Gulf-based airlines was likely to grab it. Spice Jet Airways is planning to operate services from Coimbatore with Bangalore, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Chennai likely to be the destinations. A Chennai-based firm ‘Dravidian Air’ was planning to operate services connecting major airports in the four southern states.
Monday, August 20, 2007
Elgi Equipments bags a huge deal
The Coimbatore-based Elgi Equipments Ltd., one of the largest and most integrated compressor manufacturers in Asia, has sealed a major turnkey deal with Adani Power Ltd for the supply of 12 oil-free compressors. According to a company release, the order, which is worth Rs 6.1 crore, will consolidate Elgi’s strong position in the power sector in India.
These compressors will be installed in the 4X330 MW thermal power plant of Adani Power Ltd. at Mundra, Kutch. With an aggregate generation capacity of 1,320 MW, Adani’s new power plant is can produce 5, 000 MUs in the next five years. Elgi’s oil free compressors find great utility in major thermal power plants in India as they provide 100 per cent dry, oil-free air. Elgi’s clientele include Neyveli Lignite Corporation (1470 MW), Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation (250 MW) and Andhra Pradesh Geno VTPS Thermal Power Plant (500 MW).
These compressors will be installed in the 4X330 MW thermal power plant of Adani Power Ltd. at Mundra, Kutch. With an aggregate generation capacity of 1,320 MW, Adani’s new power plant is can produce 5, 000 MUs in the next five years. Elgi’s oil free compressors find great utility in major thermal power plants in India as they provide 100 per cent dry, oil-free air. Elgi’s clientele include Neyveli Lignite Corporation (1470 MW), Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation (250 MW) and Andhra Pradesh Geno VTPS Thermal Power Plant (500 MW).
New autorickshaw fare remains only on chart
The new meter fare for autorickshaws remained only in print on Monday – the day when it was supposed to take effect in Coimbatore. The minimum fare of Rs. 14 fixed by the Government was confined to the chart provided to the autorickshaw drivers by the Regional Transport Office.
As per the new rates, passengers should pay Rs. 14 if the meter reads Rs. 7. A combination of resistance on the part of the drivers and ignorance on the part of the passengers allowed fleecing to continue even on day one of the new fare.
Ignorance
Passengers at the railway station were either not aware of the new rates coming into effect or never got a chance to emphasise it with the autorickshaw drivers. So determined were the drivers to rubbish the new fare that they got away comfortably with their methods of collecting excess fare.
Despite the officials distributing the new fare charts, neither the drivers nor most of the passengers took note of it. While the drivers rejected the fare, many passengers saw no point in arguing with them when there was no scope for winning.
Enforcement
Responding to complaints of the new fare not being enforced on Monday, transport authorities said that the first two days were set aside for the distribution of the fare chart. Enforcement would begin on Wednesday. There was an indication that some stringent measures might be taken if the drivers refused to operate with the new fare.
But, the authorities also provided a hint that they would not rush into action and that was why the first day did not have visible enforcement. More than 1,000 cards were to have been distributed on Monday.
The 6,000 autorickshaws in the city would be covered by Tuesday night. The distribution of the charts on the first two days was expected to serve as an exercise to prepare the drivers to operate with the new fare.
Digital meters
The transport authorities have given time for the drivers to fix digital meters that will be calibrated to the new fare. Till then, the existing meters calibrated to the old fare of Rs. 7 will have to be used. The vehicles having the old meters will have to use the chart containing the new fares. But, the drivers themselves admitted that the meters in most of the autorickshaws either malfunctioned or did not function at all.
Chennai experience
Official sources said there was scepticism among the authorities over the district’s ability to enforce the new fare. Given the fact that the fare, introduced in Chennai on January 26, was rejected by the autorickshaw drivers, there was no illusion here of the drivers accepting the fare without protest.
President of the Federation of Autorickshaw Workers’ Unions of Coimbatore District P.K. Sukumaran said that around 3,000 drivers would stage a demonstration in the city on Tuesday to protest against the fare. “We cannot accept Rs.14 as the minimum fare. We have asked for Rs.20, only this amount is viable for us,” he said.
As per the new rates, passengers should pay Rs. 14 if the meter reads Rs. 7. A combination of resistance on the part of the drivers and ignorance on the part of the passengers allowed fleecing to continue even on day one of the new fare.
Ignorance
Passengers at the railway station were either not aware of the new rates coming into effect or never got a chance to emphasise it with the autorickshaw drivers. So determined were the drivers to rubbish the new fare that they got away comfortably with their methods of collecting excess fare.
Despite the officials distributing the new fare charts, neither the drivers nor most of the passengers took note of it. While the drivers rejected the fare, many passengers saw no point in arguing with them when there was no scope for winning.
Enforcement
Responding to complaints of the new fare not being enforced on Monday, transport authorities said that the first two days were set aside for the distribution of the fare chart. Enforcement would begin on Wednesday. There was an indication that some stringent measures might be taken if the drivers refused to operate with the new fare.
But, the authorities also provided a hint that they would not rush into action and that was why the first day did not have visible enforcement. More than 1,000 cards were to have been distributed on Monday.
The 6,000 autorickshaws in the city would be covered by Tuesday night. The distribution of the charts on the first two days was expected to serve as an exercise to prepare the drivers to operate with the new fare.
Digital meters
The transport authorities have given time for the drivers to fix digital meters that will be calibrated to the new fare. Till then, the existing meters calibrated to the old fare of Rs. 7 will have to be used. The vehicles having the old meters will have to use the chart containing the new fares. But, the drivers themselves admitted that the meters in most of the autorickshaws either malfunctioned or did not function at all.
Chennai experience
Official sources said there was scepticism among the authorities over the district’s ability to enforce the new fare. Given the fact that the fare, introduced in Chennai on January 26, was rejected by the autorickshaw drivers, there was no illusion here of the drivers accepting the fare without protest.
President of the Federation of Autorickshaw Workers’ Unions of Coimbatore District P.K. Sukumaran said that around 3,000 drivers would stage a demonstration in the city on Tuesday to protest against the fare. “We cannot accept Rs.14 as the minimum fare. We have asked for Rs.20, only this amount is viable for us,” he said.
Friday, August 17, 2007
Hindu Opportunities Fair at Kochi
Leading companies will be scouting for talent at the Hindu Opportunities Fair to be held on August 18 and 19 at the Assisi Vidyaniketan Public School, Chembumukku, Kakkanad, Kochi. This is the first time the fair is coming to Kochi and candidates will be looking at excellent prospects for employment or re-employment. The fair will have Cognizant as the presenting sponsor, and SFO Technologies as the Associate Sponsor. Aptech is the Training Sponsor and the Raymond Shop, Kochi the Grooming Partner. TMI First is the Technology Partner. Participating companies include Allianz Cornhill Information Services, Allsec Technologies, Aryans Infoway, Assyst International, Calpine Technologies, Cordiant Technologies, Citigroup Information Technology Operations, Ford BPO Services, Genpact, Hages Business Solutions, IDSi Technologies India, Ind Sigma Infotech, Intelenet Global Services, KGISL, Larsen and Toubro, Outsource Partners International, Q First Technologies, Slash Support India, Sutherland Global Services, Tata Elxsi, Visual Graphics Computing Services, Wipro Technologies, Wrench Solutions and Zerone Consulting. More companies are expected to join in. The Hindu Opportunites Fair has so far been conducted four times in Chennai and three times in Hyderabad, Coimbatore, Bangalore and Thiruvananthapuram. The other cities where the fair has been held are Vizag, Madurai and Tiruchi. In the four years since launch of The Hindu Opportunites Fair, over four lakh job seekers have either registered or attended the events .
The number of participating companies has averaged 30. Cognizant has been the Presenting Sponsor for every one of them. The Technology Partner, TMI First, will take care of the registrations and other technical requirements for the fair. The event offers excellent opportunities to candidates with good communication skills. They should be over 20 years of age. Fresh graduates and post graduates from any discipline could come in.
The number of participating companies has averaged 30. Cognizant has been the Presenting Sponsor for every one of them. The Technology Partner, TMI First, will take care of the registrations and other technical requirements for the fair. The event offers excellent opportunities to candidates with good communication skills. They should be over 20 years of age. Fresh graduates and post graduates from any discipline could come in.
Inspection in coimbatore engineering colleges
A second spell of surprise visits to self-financing engineering colleges began on Thursday. Thirty two colleges of the Anna University, Coimbatore, came under the scanner.
“Seventeen teams consisting of faculty members from the Government College of Technology (GCT), Coimbatore, were drawn into the inspection work of the Directorate of Technical Education (DOTE). The teams inspected the colleges in Coimbatore, Erode, and the Nilgiris districts”, P. Ramamoorthy, Principal (In-Charge) of the GCT, told The Hindu.
The teams checked the admission process that began in a few colleges on Thursday.Tuition fee receipts of the new entrants were checked to find out whether they had paid Rs. 32,500 for a non-accredited course and Rs. 40,000 for an accredited course or more.
Dr. Ramamoorthy said the visits would continue on Friday when some more colleges would begin admission process.
“Seventeen teams consisting of faculty members from the Government College of Technology (GCT), Coimbatore, were drawn into the inspection work of the Directorate of Technical Education (DOTE). The teams inspected the colleges in Coimbatore, Erode, and the Nilgiris districts”, P. Ramamoorthy, Principal (In-Charge) of the GCT, told The Hindu.
The teams checked the admission process that began in a few colleges on Thursday.Tuition fee receipts of the new entrants were checked to find out whether they had paid Rs. 32,500 for a non-accredited course and Rs. 40,000 for an accredited course or more.
Dr. Ramamoorthy said the visits would continue on Friday when some more colleges would begin admission process.
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Exam schedule for Bharathiar University courses
The annual / semester examinations for undergraduate, postgraduate, B. Ed., M. Ed., M.B.A., M.C.A., postgraduate diploma and MoU courses offered under the School of Distance Education will commence on December 10. Application forms for arrear candidates can be downloaded from the university website www.b-u.ac.in; or can be obtained by sending a self-addressed envelope (22 cms x 12 cms) bearing stamp of Rs. 10, superscribing “Request for SDE Arrear Examination Application Form”. It should be addressed to the Controller of Examinations, BU, Coimbatore – 641046.
Sahitya Akademi prize 2006
A retired bank employee from Kochi has been selected for the Sahitya Akademi Translation Prize 2006, for his Sri ‘Ramacharitmanas’ in Konkani. The award, carrying an inscribed copper plaque and Rs. 20,000 cash, would be presented to 68-year-old K. Anantha Bhat at a function in Hyderabad on August 21. “I took one year, four months and 10 days to complete this work,” he added. The Konkani ‘Sri Ramacharitamanas’, of 500 pages, was released on May 16, 2004.
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
CHIL plans for SEZ at Saravanampatti
The Coimbatore Hi-Tech Infrastructure Private Limited (CHIL) has planned to develop 1.2 million sq ft of office space at its Special Economic Zone at Saravanampatti for Information Technology (IT) and IT Enabled Services companies.
The SEZ is an initiative of the KG Information Systems Private Limited (KGISL) on nearly 150 acres.
According to B. Jayamurali, vice-president, Corporate Relations of KGISL, at least three IT majors would have their individual campus at the SEZ, occupying nearly 50 acres. Apart from this, CHIL planned to develop office space for other companies, including a portion of ready-to-occupy space.
This would be available either as multi-tenant or as entire block, according to the requirement of the companies. A couple of companies had confirmed their occupation of space at CHIL’s facility.
He said this would be ready by August next. The SEZ was notified by the Union Government in August 2006 as an IT and ITES sector-specific zone.
The SEZ is an initiative of the KG Information Systems Private Limited (KGISL) on nearly 150 acres.
According to B. Jayamurali, vice-president, Corporate Relations of KGISL, at least three IT majors would have their individual campus at the SEZ, occupying nearly 50 acres. Apart from this, CHIL planned to develop office space for other companies, including a portion of ready-to-occupy space.
This would be available either as multi-tenant or as entire block, according to the requirement of the companies. A couple of companies had confirmed their occupation of space at CHIL’s facility.
He said this would be ready by August next. The SEZ was notified by the Union Government in August 2006 as an IT and ITES sector-specific zone.
Science Park to come up at Bharathiar University
To create a science research environment Bharathiar University will set up a ‘Science Park’ on 100 acres on its premises here.
According to G. Thiruvasagam, Vice-Chancellor of the university, the park will come up in collaboration with local industries and technology from abroad.
It will promote research and development by the university in partnership with the industry and also assist in growth of new ventures of companies.
“The science park will aim to make Vision 2020 a reality. It will be managed by professionals who will strive to promote the culture of innovations and competitiveness of the various companies and the university,” he said.
Separate pavilions
The park would have separate pavilions for Agro Park, Medi Park, Tele Park, Space Age Park and Information Technology Park.
The newly inaugurated School of Life Sciences would oversee the establishment and completion of the park by December 2008.
Former professor V. Selvaraj from the Department of Physics would function as the director of the proposed science park.
According to G. Thiruvasagam, Vice-Chancellor of the university, the park will come up in collaboration with local industries and technology from abroad.
It will promote research and development by the university in partnership with the industry and also assist in growth of new ventures of companies.
“The science park will aim to make Vision 2020 a reality. It will be managed by professionals who will strive to promote the culture of innovations and competitiveness of the various companies and the university,” he said.
Separate pavilions
The park would have separate pavilions for Agro Park, Medi Park, Tele Park, Space Age Park and Information Technology Park.
The newly inaugurated School of Life Sciences would oversee the establishment and completion of the park by December 2008.
Former professor V. Selvaraj from the Department of Physics would function as the director of the proposed science park.
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Look Half Your Age
The Royal Classic Group has come out with a brand promotion campaign for its products as part of the Independence Day celebrations.
A release from the company said the campaign, called “Look Half Your Age”, would offer a discount equal to half the customer’s age on a product at all the Royal Classic outlets in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh. Customers aged between 20 and 60 were eligible for this offer, which would end on August 15.
For instance, a 50-year-old customer will get 25 per cent discount on all purchases made at the Royal Classic outlet.
The Royal Classic stores have Classic Polo branded products, t-shirts, shirts, trousers, cargos, denim, jackets and “Smash” branded inner wear.
T-shirts launched
The release added that the group launched three to four new designs of T-shirts, a couple of shirts and a new trouser design every day. Classic Polo products were also retailed through about 1750 multi brand outlets, shop-in-shops and retail chain stores.
A release from the company said the campaign, called “Look Half Your Age”, would offer a discount equal to half the customer’s age on a product at all the Royal Classic outlets in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh. Customers aged between 20 and 60 were eligible for this offer, which would end on August 15.
For instance, a 50-year-old customer will get 25 per cent discount on all purchases made at the Royal Classic outlet.
The Royal Classic stores have Classic Polo branded products, t-shirts, shirts, trousers, cargos, denim, jackets and “Smash” branded inner wear.
T-shirts launched
The release added that the group launched three to four new designs of T-shirts, a couple of shirts and a new trouser design every day. Classic Polo products were also retailed through about 1750 multi brand outlets, shop-in-shops and retail chain stores.
Results of the Bharathiar University’s examinations
The results of the Bharathiar University’s examinations held in May by the School of Distance Education were published on Saturday.
According to a release from the Controller of Examinations B. Krishnamurthy, the results of the undergraduate, post-graduate, diploma, MBA, MCA, B. Ed., M. Ed. and all Amrita Bharathi courses’ examinations were published at 9 a.m. Mark sheets would be dispatched to the students from August 20. Candidates could also access their results and marks on the following websites: www.b-u.ac.in, www.sasiads.com, www.camet.edu, www.coimbatore.com, www.covai.com and www.kovainews.com, by typing in their register numbers. The UG and PG diploma course candidates were eligible to apply for revaluation; while all candidates could apply for retotalling. Last date for receipt of filled in applications is August 25.
According to a release from the Controller of Examinations B. Krishnamurthy, the results of the undergraduate, post-graduate, diploma, MBA, MCA, B. Ed., M. Ed. and all Amrita Bharathi courses’ examinations were published at 9 a.m. Mark sheets would be dispatched to the students from August 20. Candidates could also access their results and marks on the following websites: www.b-u.ac.in, www.sasiads.com, www.camet.edu, www.coimbatore.com, www.covai.com and www.kovainews.com, by typing in their register numbers. The UG and PG diploma course candidates were eligible to apply for revaluation; while all candidates could apply for retotalling. Last date for receipt of filled in applications is August 25.
Thursday, August 09, 2007
Bosch India plans to invest Rs 250 crore in unit
To realise growth opportunities in the IT and ITES space in the country, Robert Bosch India today announced expanding its facility by investing Rs 250 crore.
The facility would become operational by early 2009, a top executive of the company said on Thursday.
The company has entered into agreement with Coimbatore Hitech Infrastructure Private Limited (CHIL) for about 21.88 acres of land, thus making the expanded facility the first unit in the Special Economic Zone here, Friedhelm Pickhard, Managing Director of Robert Bosch, told reporters here.
Construction would start in the last quarter of the year and the first phase would be inaugurated by early 2009, Pickhard said.
With the associate strength of 550 at present, the new infrastructure would pave way to meet the growing demand and would provide employment opportunities to the locals, thus increasing the number to 2,500, he said.
The company would pump in Rs 250 crore in the facility, which would be working on advanced technologies designing new Electronic Control Unit for diesel and Gasoline engines, and other automotive applications such as portable navigation systems, semi autonomous parking systems and adaptive cruise control, Pickhard said.
CHIL, promoted by KG group, is the first private sector specific SEZ notified by the Centre and would be creating 1.2 million square feet of office by August 2008, providing employment opportunities to nearly 30,000 persons, Ashok Bhakthavatsalam, its Managing Director said.
The facility would become operational by early 2009, a top executive of the company said on Thursday.
The company has entered into agreement with Coimbatore Hitech Infrastructure Private Limited (CHIL) for about 21.88 acres of land, thus making the expanded facility the first unit in the Special Economic Zone here, Friedhelm Pickhard, Managing Director of Robert Bosch, told reporters here.
Construction would start in the last quarter of the year and the first phase would be inaugurated by early 2009, Pickhard said.
With the associate strength of 550 at present, the new infrastructure would pave way to meet the growing demand and would provide employment opportunities to the locals, thus increasing the number to 2,500, he said.
The company would pump in Rs 250 crore in the facility, which would be working on advanced technologies designing new Electronic Control Unit for diesel and Gasoline engines, and other automotive applications such as portable navigation systems, semi autonomous parking systems and adaptive cruise control, Pickhard said.
CHIL, promoted by KG group, is the first private sector specific SEZ notified by the Centre and would be creating 1.2 million square feet of office by August 2008, providing employment opportunities to nearly 30,000 persons, Ashok Bhakthavatsalam, its Managing Director said.
Thursday, August 02, 2007
Caller tunes for Hutch Subscribers
Hutch now enables its subscribers to search for caller tunes of their choice at no extra cost. This new service is applicable to any local Hutch number.
A release said to search for caller tunes, subscribers have to SMS the desired film name to the toll free number 55655. The subscriber will receive a list of four songs to choose from, the release added.
A release said to search for caller tunes, subscribers have to SMS the desired film name to the toll free number 55655. The subscriber will receive a list of four songs to choose from, the release added.
Cotton Research in Coimbatore receives Award
The Central Institute for Cotton Research in Coimbatore has received the Chaudahary Devi Lal Award for the best All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research.
A release from the institute said it was working on the All India Coordinated Cotton Improvement Project (AICCIP) to develop profitable and viable technologies for cotton cultivation.
Across the country, research efforts since the formation of the AICCIP had led to released of over 200 improved cotton varieties and hybrids in different cotton cultivating belts and also development of economical and eco-friendly cotton production and protection practices.
A release from the institute said it was working on the All India Coordinated Cotton Improvement Project (AICCIP) to develop profitable and viable technologies for cotton cultivation.
Across the country, research efforts since the formation of the AICCIP had led to released of over 200 improved cotton varieties and hybrids in different cotton cultivating belts and also development of economical and eco-friendly cotton production and protection practices.
Wednesday, August 01, 2007
Coimbatore railway junction needs space
Any plea for a new train service for Coimbatore to accelerate the pace of growth of the textile city often used to be turned down by the railway administration with a stock reply that there were not enough space and facilities in Coimbatore to accommodate and maintain coaches.
This has renewed the long-pending demand for developing a satellite railway terminal for Coimbatore. Any growing city having a congested railway station will have a satellite terminal as in the case of Egmore. Egmore is a satellite station for Chennai Central, Nizamuddin for New Delhi, Cantonment for Bangalore and Kurla for Mumbai.
On one hand the reply or the refrain of the authorities for introducing new trains was true but the question as to what was being done to get the required space to bring in the facilities remained unanswered, said K. Kathirmathiyon of Coimbatore Consumer Cause. The existing junction premises was struggling for space to provide terminal facilities for terminating and originating trains and for maintaining the coaches.
As on date, Coimbatore Junction on an average has 15 terminating and originating trains, including weekly and bi-weekly trains, besides 32 pairs of trains which pass through the junction. The terminal facilities required include loop lines for parking the trains, sick line and pit line for maintaining the coaches. Even the space created by shifting the container terminal was inadequate, railway sources said.
Citing lack of space, the Southern Railway was reportedly toying with the idea of extending more trains to destinations in Kerala, especially after the move to bifurcate the Palakkad division for formation of a new division with headquarters at Salem.
Such a move would definitely deprive the Coimbatore people of the existing facilities, K. Ramakrishnan of the Thanthai Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam said. It was time the Southern Railway initiated measures to get the required space, he said.
Earlier proposals for acquiring land belonging to the NTC Mills in Kattoor were found to be technically unviable. Hence, the railway administration should consider the suggestion for developing the North Coimbatore Junction for trains that pass through the Coimbatore Junction besides creating terminal facilities at the Podanur Junction for parking trains and creating pit line and sick line facilities, C.M. Jayaraman of the Citizens Voice Club said.
Once these two stations were developed congestion at the Coimbatore Junction as well as in the areas in and round could be eliminated, Mr. Kathirmathiyon said.
This has renewed the long-pending demand for developing a satellite railway terminal for Coimbatore. Any growing city having a congested railway station will have a satellite terminal as in the case of Egmore. Egmore is a satellite station for Chennai Central, Nizamuddin for New Delhi, Cantonment for Bangalore and Kurla for Mumbai.
On one hand the reply or the refrain of the authorities for introducing new trains was true but the question as to what was being done to get the required space to bring in the facilities remained unanswered, said K. Kathirmathiyon of Coimbatore Consumer Cause. The existing junction premises was struggling for space to provide terminal facilities for terminating and originating trains and for maintaining the coaches.
As on date, Coimbatore Junction on an average has 15 terminating and originating trains, including weekly and bi-weekly trains, besides 32 pairs of trains which pass through the junction. The terminal facilities required include loop lines for parking the trains, sick line and pit line for maintaining the coaches. Even the space created by shifting the container terminal was inadequate, railway sources said.
Citing lack of space, the Southern Railway was reportedly toying with the idea of extending more trains to destinations in Kerala, especially after the move to bifurcate the Palakkad division for formation of a new division with headquarters at Salem.
Such a move would definitely deprive the Coimbatore people of the existing facilities, K. Ramakrishnan of the Thanthai Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam said. It was time the Southern Railway initiated measures to get the required space, he said.
Earlier proposals for acquiring land belonging to the NTC Mills in Kattoor were found to be technically unviable. Hence, the railway administration should consider the suggestion for developing the North Coimbatore Junction for trains that pass through the Coimbatore Junction besides creating terminal facilities at the Podanur Junction for parking trains and creating pit line and sick line facilities, C.M. Jayaraman of the Citizens Voice Club said.
Once these two stations were developed congestion at the Coimbatore Junction as well as in the areas in and round could be eliminated, Mr. Kathirmathiyon said.
Monday, July 30, 2007
HDFC special counters for NRI's
HDFC has set up special counters in its offices in Coimbatore, Erode, Palakkad and Salem to help non-Resident Indians planning to buy a property.
A release from the company said customers applying for a loan on or before August 14 and taking the disbursement by August 31 will get special interest rate offers. For speedy approval of their loan application, the customers should bring:
Photocopy of labour contract along with English translation and countersigned by the employer, latest salary certificate in English from the company, photocopy of the last four months local bank account statement, photocopy of the valid resident visa stamped on passport, photocopy of the labour card/identity card and statement of accounts for other loans availed.
The special counters would be open till August 5.
For details: contact: Coimbatore: 4301100 or 4399881, 4399882, Erode: 2240928 – 30, Palakkad: 2536481, 2536482, Salem: 2314486, 2314487.
A release from the company said customers applying for a loan on or before August 14 and taking the disbursement by August 31 will get special interest rate offers. For speedy approval of their loan application, the customers should bring:
Photocopy of labour contract along with English translation and countersigned by the employer, latest salary certificate in English from the company, photocopy of the last four months local bank account statement, photocopy of the valid resident visa stamped on passport, photocopy of the labour card/identity card and statement of accounts for other loans availed.
The special counters would be open till August 5.
For details: contact: Coimbatore: 4301100 or 4399881, 4399882, Erode: 2240928 – 30, Palakkad: 2536481, 2536482, Salem: 2314486, 2314487.
Friday, June 22, 2007
Rain at Siruvani Dam brings cheers
The Coimbatore Corporation seemed a bit relaxed on Thursday as 40 mm rain was reported at the Siruvani Dam, the source of a drinking water scheme serving one half of the 105 sq.km. city.
Mayor R. Venkatachalam said the water level remained at 23 ft for close to a week, despite 85 million litres a day (mld) being supplied to the Corporation areas, three municipalities and a clutch of town panchayats and village panchayats. Only because of steady rain, the storage was being maintained at this level, he said.
The Mayor said there were reports of water being received through two falls. “We are told that the Mukthikulam (in the upper reaches of the Siruvani hills) is full and surplus water is flowing into the dam,” he said. The situation indicated heavy rain in Kerala where the dam and the catchments were located. Heavy rain would bring water from the Mukthikulam to the dam through more than five falls. The Mayor said the storage would improve in a week if the heavy rain in the catchments continued.
Mayor R. Venkatachalam said the water level remained at 23 ft for close to a week, despite 85 million litres a day (mld) being supplied to the Corporation areas, three municipalities and a clutch of town panchayats and village panchayats. Only because of steady rain, the storage was being maintained at this level, he said.
The Mayor said there were reports of water being received through two falls. “We are told that the Mukthikulam (in the upper reaches of the Siruvani hills) is full and surplus water is flowing into the dam,” he said. The situation indicated heavy rain in Kerala where the dam and the catchments were located. Heavy rain would bring water from the Mukthikulam to the dam through more than five falls. The Mayor said the storage would improve in a week if the heavy rain in the catchments continued.
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Kidzee school opened in Kovai
Kidzee, a leading pre-school network, today opened its centre in the city.
With a philosophy, 'Learning by Playing,' the curriculum is structured bearing in mind the interests and abilities for pre-school children and emphasising on their stress-free holistic development, Ashish Deb, Executive Vice President, Zee Interactive Learning Systems, told reporters here.
Indigenously designed toys, play and learning equipment would encourage children to collaborate and help each other, Deb said.
Kidzee has 550 schools across the country of which south India has more than 100 schools, he said adding it was proposed to open at least 10 such schools within one year in Coimbatore.
The company has plans to extend the facility to the villages, Deb said adding smaller size centre would require an investment of Rs.Six lakh and bigger ones Rs.12 lakh.
With a philosophy, 'Learning by Playing,' the curriculum is structured bearing in mind the interests and abilities for pre-school children and emphasising on their stress-free holistic development, Ashish Deb, Executive Vice President, Zee Interactive Learning Systems, told reporters here.
Indigenously designed toys, play and learning equipment would encourage children to collaborate and help each other, Deb said.
Kidzee has 550 schools across the country of which south India has more than 100 schools, he said adding it was proposed to open at least 10 such schools within one year in Coimbatore.
The company has plans to extend the facility to the villages, Deb said adding smaller size centre would require an investment of Rs.Six lakh and bigger ones Rs.12 lakh.
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Promoting technical textiles
The Centre will implement a scheme for the development and growth of technical textiles, the Union Minister of State for Textiles, E.V.K.S. Elangovan, said here on Monday. He said that during the XI Plan period it would be implemented at a cost of Rs. 96 crore to promote indigenous manufacture of technical textiles, tap global opportunities and increase employment potential in this segment. The scheme would also support the infrastructural needs of the segment through centres of excellence.
He was inaugurating a three-day conference on advances in textiles, machinery, nonwoven and technical textiles organised jointly by the Kumaraguru College of Technology and Texas Tech University.
In a move to accelerate the growth of technical textiles, the Government had appointed the Synthetic and Art Silk Mills’ Research Association as the nodal agency for technical textiles. The agency was entrusted with the task of assessment of application areas for technical textiles.
It would look at market development, creating awareness to the industry, research and development support and testing facilities to the industry.
With regard to rupee appreciation affecting textile exporters, the matter was taken up with the Prime Minister and the Union Finance Ministry too, he said.
He was inaugurating a three-day conference on advances in textiles, machinery, nonwoven and technical textiles organised jointly by the Kumaraguru College of Technology and Texas Tech University.
In a move to accelerate the growth of technical textiles, the Government had appointed the Synthetic and Art Silk Mills’ Research Association as the nodal agency for technical textiles. The agency was entrusted with the task of assessment of application areas for technical textiles.
It would look at market development, creating awareness to the industry, research and development support and testing facilities to the industry.
With regard to rupee appreciation affecting textile exporters, the matter was taken up with the Prime Minister and the Union Finance Ministry too, he said.
GDTC returns to Coimbatore
The second leg of the Gulf Dirt Track National championship for two wheelers will be held besides Jenney’s Club here on July 14 and 15.
Entry forms are available and accepted at Sportscraft, Chitrakut Building, Third Floor, Siri Road, Chowpatty Band Stand, Mumbai 400 006 (ph: 022-23677631, Fax: 022-23685071) from Monday to Friday between 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Saturday between 10 a.m. and 12 noon. Participants can also visit www.sportscraftindia.com for details.
Local entries can be had before July 11 from Coimbatore Auto Sports Club, 29, Nehru Stadium, tele-fax: 380065.
Entry forms are available and accepted at Sportscraft, Chitrakut Building, Third Floor, Siri Road, Chowpatty Band Stand, Mumbai 400 006 (ph: 022-23677631, Fax: 022-23685071) from Monday to Friday between 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Saturday between 10 a.m. and 12 noon. Participants can also visit www.sportscraftindia.com for details.
Local entries can be had before July 11 from Coimbatore Auto Sports Club, 29, Nehru Stadium, tele-fax: 380065.
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Consumer expo in october
Joining hands with event managers Bangalore-based Innovative Concepts India Ltd, the Coimbatore District Small Industries Association (CODISSIA) is organising a 14-day consumer expo in the city in October.
The Indian Consumer Exhibition (ICE), claimed to be the biggest consumer exhibition, would be held from October 11 to 23 at Codissia trade fair complex, during the Dussera festival, Innovative president A Pande told reporters here last night.
As per the MoU signed between Codissia and Innovative, both have a partnership for six years to jointly conduct exhibition, Pande said.
ICE would cover among other things automobiles, banking and investment, mobile and IT, FMCG products, real estate, consumer electronics, tourism and travel, fashion and garments, health and gift articles, education, jobs and matrimonial, Codissia president Muthusamy, who was also present, said.
The expo would be a platform where the entire family would get to not only see but also buy the very latest products directly from manufacturers in more 100 than top Indian brands, besides International countries like USA, Pakistan, Bhutan, Turkey and Thailand, Muthusamy added.
The Indian Consumer Exhibition (ICE), claimed to be the biggest consumer exhibition, would be held from October 11 to 23 at Codissia trade fair complex, during the Dussera festival, Innovative president A Pande told reporters here last night.
As per the MoU signed between Codissia and Innovative, both have a partnership for six years to jointly conduct exhibition, Pande said.
ICE would cover among other things automobiles, banking and investment, mobile and IT, FMCG products, real estate, consumer electronics, tourism and travel, fashion and garments, health and gift articles, education, jobs and matrimonial, Codissia president Muthusamy, who was also present, said.
The expo would be a platform where the entire family would get to not only see but also buy the very latest products directly from manufacturers in more 100 than top Indian brands, besides International countries like USA, Pakistan, Bhutan, Turkey and Thailand, Muthusamy added.
Pentasoft Technologies likely to invest in coimbatore
Pentasoft Technologies is planning to invest Rs 1 billion for setting up multiplexes in II and III tier cities of the country in the next two years, reports Economic Times.
The company has short listed Coimbatore, Hyderabad, Bhubaneswar and Mysore for the projects, which will have resorts, theme parks, children games and go carting.
The company will infuse Rs 220 million in Coimbatore to develop a multiplex in 5-6 acres of land, which will include a golf course park.
Further unveiling its future plans, the company said that, they are planning a sports theme park complex at Madurai in Tamil Nadu.
The company`s chalked-out plans to start a Multi Media Academy in the Chennai campus in a area of 100,000 sq.ft, with an investment of Rs 60 million. The academy is scheduled to start in the next 15 months.
Shares of the company remained unchanged at Rs 1.42, at the BSE. The total volume of shares traded was 423,548 (Friday).
The company has short listed Coimbatore, Hyderabad, Bhubaneswar and Mysore for the projects, which will have resorts, theme parks, children games and go carting.
The company will infuse Rs 220 million in Coimbatore to develop a multiplex in 5-6 acres of land, which will include a golf course park.
Further unveiling its future plans, the company said that, they are planning a sports theme park complex at Madurai in Tamil Nadu.
The company`s chalked-out plans to start a Multi Media Academy in the Chennai campus in a area of 100,000 sq.ft, with an investment of Rs 60 million. The academy is scheduled to start in the next 15 months.
Shares of the company remained unchanged at Rs 1.42, at the BSE. The total volume of shares traded was 423,548 (Friday).
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
Cleaning campaign at ooty
A mass cleaning campaign by officials of the Forest Department, the Nilgiris South Division and volunteers marked the World Environment Day here on Tuesday.
Led by the District Forest Officer, the Nilgiris South, Rakesh Kumar Jagenia, the participants armed with spikes, baskets and gunny bags fanned out to different places, including the highly abused film-shooting hill, a scenic spot on Ooty-Gudalur Road. Caps and T-shirts were provided to them by the food and beverage multinational PepsiCo.
Claiming that the response to the campaign had been good, Mr. Jagenia told that some tourists had also extended support to the effort.
Pointing out that the main reason for such beautiful and eco-sensitive spots getting littered was due to the callous outlook of many of the tourists, he said that through a sustained campaign it was possible to bring about an attitudinal change. If they were sensitised to the catastrophic consequences of taking nature for granted, they would cooperate in protecting places like the film shooting hill. Love for nature should be inculcated among the tourists.
Led by the District Forest Officer, the Nilgiris South, Rakesh Kumar Jagenia, the participants armed with spikes, baskets and gunny bags fanned out to different places, including the highly abused film-shooting hill, a scenic spot on Ooty-Gudalur Road. Caps and T-shirts were provided to them by the food and beverage multinational PepsiCo.
Claiming that the response to the campaign had been good, Mr. Jagenia told that some tourists had also extended support to the effort.
Pointing out that the main reason for such beautiful and eco-sensitive spots getting littered was due to the callous outlook of many of the tourists, he said that through a sustained campaign it was possible to bring about an attitudinal change. If they were sensitised to the catastrophic consequences of taking nature for granted, they would cooperate in protecting places like the film shooting hill. Love for nature should be inculcated among the tourists.
Construction boom in coimbatore
Real estate development in Coimbatore looks all set to peak, according to builders’ estimates, with takers for luxury apartments and residential complexes expected to rise in the coming year.
“We see much scope in Coimbatore since it promises a lot of development in the next few years,” said Nirmal Gadhiya, Director of Chennai-based Deccan Estates and Constructions Limited.
The company has ventured into Coimbatore with its ’All Seasons Luxury Apartments’ at Ramanathapuram, which include facilities like an aerobics room, gymnasium and swimming pool.
Expected to be completed in the next two years, the price for an apartment would range from Rs 30 to Rs 40 lakh.
Deccan Estates had also finalised land at the Race Course to cater to the needs of high-end customers, Gadhiya said.
The city already has players like Jain Housing, Mayflower Enterprises, Srivari and Presidium Constructions.
True Value and Real Value, both Chennai-based companies, have started work at Coimbatore, while Delhi based Orchid has submitted plans to develop a township at Kalapatti.
According to G Srinivasan, Chairman of Coimbatore unit of the Builders’ Association of India (BAI), “Most of the developers are targeting middle and upper middle class residents.”
“With the manufacturing sector looking up and the IT Park coming, the demand for housing projects is bound to go up. There are lots of companies coming in, including the Belgium-based Hansen Transmissions International NV and aN L&T plant,” said Jayakumar Ramadoss, former Chairman, CII.
“We see much scope in Coimbatore since it promises a lot of development in the next few years,” said Nirmal Gadhiya, Director of Chennai-based Deccan Estates and Constructions Limited.
The company has ventured into Coimbatore with its ’All Seasons Luxury Apartments’ at Ramanathapuram, which include facilities like an aerobics room, gymnasium and swimming pool.
Expected to be completed in the next two years, the price for an apartment would range from Rs 30 to Rs 40 lakh.
Deccan Estates had also finalised land at the Race Course to cater to the needs of high-end customers, Gadhiya said.
The city already has players like Jain Housing, Mayflower Enterprises, Srivari and Presidium Constructions.
True Value and Real Value, both Chennai-based companies, have started work at Coimbatore, while Delhi based Orchid has submitted plans to develop a township at Kalapatti.
According to G Srinivasan, Chairman of Coimbatore unit of the Builders’ Association of India (BAI), “Most of the developers are targeting middle and upper middle class residents.”
“With the manufacturing sector looking up and the IT Park coming, the demand for housing projects is bound to go up. There are lots of companies coming in, including the Belgium-based Hansen Transmissions International NV and aN L&T plant,” said Jayakumar Ramadoss, former Chairman, CII.
Sunday, June 03, 2007
CII plans to promote coimbatore agressively
With Coimbatore witnessing a spurt in investments in sectors like textile, manufacturing and healthcare, the CII has decided to agressively promote the region through a multi-colour brochure and an interactive presentation.
Of late, the region, which has already attracted some of the major multinationals apart from other SMEs in the IT field, was witnessing new investments in retail, foundry and constructions, a CII release said on Saturday.
The comprehensive kit would be an excellent reference guide to all the investors from within and outside the region, who would like to bring in their resources and yield out of this region, the release claimed.
The fact file included all the desired details of sectors like textiles, auto components, education, healthcare, IT and ITES, real estate, FMCG, apart from the general information on the region.
The initiative--brochure and presentation, was well supported by other associations like Coimbatore District Small Industries Association, the Southern India Enginerring and Manufacturing Association, Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Southern India Mills' Association.
Of late, the region, which has already attracted some of the major multinationals apart from other SMEs in the IT field, was witnessing new investments in retail, foundry and constructions, a CII release said on Saturday.
The comprehensive kit would be an excellent reference guide to all the investors from within and outside the region, who would like to bring in their resources and yield out of this region, the release claimed.
The fact file included all the desired details of sectors like textiles, auto components, education, healthcare, IT and ITES, real estate, FMCG, apart from the general information on the region.
The initiative--brochure and presentation, was well supported by other associations like Coimbatore District Small Industries Association, the Southern India Enginerring and Manufacturing Association, Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Southern India Mills' Association.
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