The date for the judgement in the 1998 serial blast cases, which claimed 52 lives in and around the city, would be announced by the designated special court on May 31.
The arguments by the prosecution and defence sides were completed on April 10 before the special judge, Uthirapathi.
Even as about 100 accused, produced before the court this morning, appealed for an early judgement, since they were in jail for the last nine years, Uthirapathi said the date for the verdict would be announced on May 31.
52 persons were killed and 200 persons injured, when a series of explosions took place in the city and suburbs ahead of the visit of BJP leader L K Advani for election campaign on February 14, 1998.
There are 166 accused in the cases, including leaders of the banned al-Umma and chairman of Kerala-based PDP, Abdul Nasser Mahdhani. Four persons wanted in connection with the cases are absconding and three cases are still under investigation.
Thursday, May 03, 2007
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
Foreign companies start own ventures in coimbatore
In another interesting development on the industrial scene in Coimbatore, a number of foreign companies have started their own ventures or have set up joint venture manufacturing facilities in the past two years.
According to an official of the Inspectorate of Factories, Coimbatore District has about a dozen units as joint ventures, 100 per cent export oriented units, or just production centres. Almost 75 per cent of these were established during the last two years. Another 10 or 15 are in the pipeline. These include engineering units, textile, textile machinery, and valve manufacturers. Southern India Engineering Manufacturers' Association Vice President Jayakumar Ramdass says that a significant point in this development is that many of them are small and medium enterprises.
Most of the units chose Coimbatore because of the contacts they have with the industries here. Normally, foreign companies prefer to set up shop in larger cities. The advantages these units in the engineering sector enjoy here as against starting off in bigger cities are lower overheads, abundant availability of engineering skills and castings.
For Coimbatore industries, it means immediate accessibility to better technology and equipment, and improving quality. "It is a win-win situation for all," he says.
Mr. Ramdass estimates that the units started recently could have taken off with a total investment of Rs. 200 crore to Rs. 250 crore. The region has the potential to draw foreign investments to the tune of Rs. 4,000 crore in a couple of years.
According to an official of the Inspectorate of Factories, Coimbatore District has about a dozen units as joint ventures, 100 per cent export oriented units, or just production centres. Almost 75 per cent of these were established during the last two years. Another 10 or 15 are in the pipeline. These include engineering units, textile, textile machinery, and valve manufacturers. Southern India Engineering Manufacturers' Association Vice President Jayakumar Ramdass says that a significant point in this development is that many of them are small and medium enterprises.
Most of the units chose Coimbatore because of the contacts they have with the industries here. Normally, foreign companies prefer to set up shop in larger cities. The advantages these units in the engineering sector enjoy here as against starting off in bigger cities are lower overheads, abundant availability of engineering skills and castings.
For Coimbatore industries, it means immediate accessibility to better technology and equipment, and improving quality. "It is a win-win situation for all," he says.
Mr. Ramdass estimates that the units started recently could have taken off with a total investment of Rs. 200 crore to Rs. 250 crore. The region has the potential to draw foreign investments to the tune of Rs. 4,000 crore in a couple of years.
Monday, April 30, 2007
Cognizant in recruiting mood
Cognizant Technology Solutions will be recruiting about 18,000 IT professionals before December this year in addition to the present 38,000 employees.
The problem is not quantity but quality of personnel across the country, R Chandrasekaran, president and managing director, Cognizant, told reporters here in an informal chat.
He said the company was taking a multi-pronged approach to address the constraint by running a training academy, organising job fairs as well taking the help of institutions like the Board of Apprenticeship Training and the HRD Minstry.
Chandrasekaran said Cognizant was interested in tier-two cities like Tiruchirappalli and others, and initiatives have already been taken at Coimbatore and Kochi. Kochi would be the company's eighth location to operate, and the unit's formal inauguration is scheduled to take place any time.
The problem is not quantity but quality of personnel across the country, R Chandrasekaran, president and managing director, Cognizant, told reporters here in an informal chat.
He said the company was taking a multi-pronged approach to address the constraint by running a training academy, organising job fairs as well taking the help of institutions like the Board of Apprenticeship Training and the HRD Minstry.
Chandrasekaran said Cognizant was interested in tier-two cities like Tiruchirappalli and others, and initiatives have already been taken at Coimbatore and Kochi. Kochi would be the company's eighth location to operate, and the unit's formal inauguration is scheduled to take place any time.
Update : Ucal Rolon National racing championship
Defending champion Ashwin Sundar of Team Yamaha and K. Rajini of Team TVS grabbed a double pole each in the qualifying round of the Ucal Rolon National racing championship for two wheelers that got underway in Chettipalayam, near here, on Saturday.
The opening leg of the season saw Rajini take pole position in Group `D' four-stroke 125 to 160cc and Group `C' two-stroke 150cc (expert categories).
Ashwin, who switched over to Yamaha this season, will start from the front in both the Group `D' four-stroke 125cc (expert class) and the Group `B' four-stroke 160cc category.
P. Rajani took the pole in P. Rajani the Group `B' four-stroke 250cc open class.
The opening leg of the season saw Rajini take pole position in Group `D' four-stroke 125 to 160cc and Group `C' two-stroke 150cc (expert categories).
Ashwin, who switched over to Yamaha this season, will start from the front in both the Group `D' four-stroke 125cc (expert class) and the Group `B' four-stroke 160cc category.
P. Rajani took the pole in P. Rajani the Group `B' four-stroke 250cc open class.
Bike racing competition
Amateur bikers took part in a unique bike racing competition here on Saturday, which provided them a platform to turn professionals.
Twenty-five bikers from across Tamil Nadu were judged on parameters such as speed and driving skills.
Unlike other motorbike races, there were two finishing lines. The bikers, timed on the clock, would finish the race by crossing one line but had to make sure they did not cross the second.
Crossing the second line would have had them disqualified. The bikers were not only forced to push the throttle, but also pull the brakes to be sure the bike halted between the two lines.
"It is an event targeted towards enthusiastic bikers. We want to give them a feel of what professional biking is all about. This is not only about the speed but we want to check the speed, control and skills of the bike," said Abhijit Kulkarni, an organiser.
Venu Ramesh and Bijo were adjudged winners in 125cc and 250cc categories respectively. They have also qualified for the mega finals to be held in Indore in June.
The next race of the 12-legged competition would be held in Bangalore.
Motorcycle racing is at a nascent stage in the country, but is slowly picking up with the rising popularity of Narain Karthekayan, the country's only Formula One driver.
Twenty-five bikers from across Tamil Nadu were judged on parameters such as speed and driving skills.
Unlike other motorbike races, there were two finishing lines. The bikers, timed on the clock, would finish the race by crossing one line but had to make sure they did not cross the second.
Crossing the second line would have had them disqualified. The bikers were not only forced to push the throttle, but also pull the brakes to be sure the bike halted between the two lines.
"It is an event targeted towards enthusiastic bikers. We want to give them a feel of what professional biking is all about. This is not only about the speed but we want to check the speed, control and skills of the bike," said Abhijit Kulkarni, an organiser.
Venu Ramesh and Bijo were adjudged winners in 125cc and 250cc categories respectively. They have also qualified for the mega finals to be held in Indore in June.
The next race of the 12-legged competition would be held in Bangalore.
Motorcycle racing is at a nascent stage in the country, but is slowly picking up with the rising popularity of Narain Karthekayan, the country's only Formula One driver.
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