Though the initial settlements in coimbatore are believed to have been around for two millennia, it was only in the colonial period that the town rose to fame, for its numerous industries. The rich-black soil around the city has given Coimbatore its flourishing textile mills, employing thousands and earning it the epithet of ‘Manchester of the South’.
To Do
Like many other small Indian towns, there’s nothing exceptionally touristy here. We spent our time roaming the streets, bargaining for ivory-white ‘100 per cent' cotton shirts, fattening ourselves on chips and wondering about the numerous educational institutes around. Then there were also the almost-obligatory visits to the 'Houses of Worship' present at every nook and corner.
Amongst all the temples, the Perur Patteeswaraswamy Temple by the Noyyal River is most famous. This Chola-era temple is built in the Dravidan style and is home to a gold-plated statue of Natraja. Also well known are the Marudamalai Temple of Lord Muruga, and the Thirumoorthy Temple situated on the highway from Palani to Coimbatore. Urban-yuppies however may find solace in the Dhyanalinga Temple of the Isha Foundation. While everyone may not agree to the Foundation’s concepts and beliefs, we’d highly recommend a visit to this complex, for its unusual temple architecture. A 33-feet high and 76-feet wide dome, built without any steel, cement or concrete and a 35-feet deep subterranean water body are the highlights; and the entire complex is embellished with uber-chic design elements.
The Forest College Museum preserves a variety of flora, fauna and other exhibits related to the natural world, while the Khadi Gandhi Gallery has an engaging display about the Father of the Nation. All major events from Gandhiji’s life are showcased with photographs and memorabilia. The Government Museum in the VOC Park, the G D Naidu Industrial Exhibit and the Textile Museum in the Shreenivasan Art Gallery are also worth-a-dekho.
But if you’d rather spend your time outdoors, then head to the hilly areas surrounding the city that comprises numerous waterfalls such as Sengupathi Falls, Monkey Falls, Vaideki Falls and the Siruvani Waterfall.
Food and drink
Sambar, rice, idlis, vadas and chutneys are the staple food, and can be relished at any time of the day. Sweets and non-vegetarian dishes are best sampled at the more established eateries. Also drink a few sips of water from the Siruvani Dam, and decide for yourself if it indeed is the ‘second sweetest water in the world’ as the locals sweetly claim it to be.
Shopping
Being a major textile centre, clothing items – saris and dhotis - are Coimbatore’s best buys. Also stock up on banana-wafers, sambar powder and the local sweets.
Fact file
Getting around: Though city-buses and non-metered auto rickshaws are available, the best option for tourists is to use the taxis
Best time to visit: All year round, not counting the summer months
Getting there
Air: Peelamedu Airport is about 10km away from the city centre, and is well connected to major South Indian cities, as well as to Mumbai
Rail: Coimbatore Junction
Road: Coimbatore has three national highways that pass through it: NH 47, NH 67 and NH 209
Thursday, February 04, 2010
Thousands of seats vacant in Tamil Nadu's self-financing engineering colleges
In an alarming indication of the turbulent state of affairs in Tamil Nadu's self-financing engineering colleges, it has emerged that more than 51,000 BE/B.Tech seats are lying vacant for want of students in the current academic year.
This figure is a significant and unparalleled 31% of the 1,65,980 seats, (including a few BArch seats), that were available in the 440 engineering colleges both under government and management quotas.
Latest admission statistics in engineering colleges compiled by officials of the higher education ministry revealed that only 1,14,518 seats were filled up during the admission season that started in July (government quota) and ended in October (management quota).
A copy of the statistical report sourced by The Times of India shows that three engineering colleges and one architecture institution (Ranganathan Architecture College in Coimbatore) had failed to attract even a single student.
Interestingly all three engineering colleges were exclusive women's institutions the Chennai Institute of Science and Technology for Women in Chengalpet; The Selvam Women Excellence Engineering Technology College in Trichy; and the St John's College of Engineering and Technology for Women in Vellore.
"Such a huge vacancy in engineering colleges is unparalleled in the history of technical education in Tamil Nadu. Although over 70 new private engineering colleges were established last year, presumably to address the demand from students, nearly one-third of the seats could not be filled as students had stayed off. In contrast, if you look at the admission figures for the previous academic year 2008-09, as many as 1,18,565 of the 1,31,680 seats available were filled in the 344 engineering colleges that were functioning then. The percentage of vacant seats worked out to less than 10% last academic year," a higher education ministry official pointed out.
Similarly, during 2007-08, of the 1,09,784 available seats colleges had managed to find students for 94,346 seats, which meant that only around 14% of the seats remained vacant.
"Less than half-a-dozen of the engineering colleges in the state were able to attract students for the entire sanctioned student intake strength in the current academic year. While several institutions admitted students in double digits against an individual sanctioned students' strength ranging from 240 to 300, less than 10 students were admitted in three private colleges," the official added.
Academics felt that the figures reflected two aspects one, that parents and students did not have faith in the quality of education provided in many private institutions and second they stayed away due to prohibitive costs of engineering education.
This figure is a significant and unparalleled 31% of the 1,65,980 seats, (including a few BArch seats), that were available in the 440 engineering colleges both under government and management quotas.
Latest admission statistics in engineering colleges compiled by officials of the higher education ministry revealed that only 1,14,518 seats were filled up during the admission season that started in July (government quota) and ended in October (management quota).
A copy of the statistical report sourced by The Times of India shows that three engineering colleges and one architecture institution (Ranganathan Architecture College in Coimbatore) had failed to attract even a single student.
Interestingly all three engineering colleges were exclusive women's institutions the Chennai Institute of Science and Technology for Women in Chengalpet; The Selvam Women Excellence Engineering Technology College in Trichy; and the St John's College of Engineering and Technology for Women in Vellore.
"Such a huge vacancy in engineering colleges is unparalleled in the history of technical education in Tamil Nadu. Although over 70 new private engineering colleges were established last year, presumably to address the demand from students, nearly one-third of the seats could not be filled as students had stayed off. In contrast, if you look at the admission figures for the previous academic year 2008-09, as many as 1,18,565 of the 1,31,680 seats available were filled in the 344 engineering colleges that were functioning then. The percentage of vacant seats worked out to less than 10% last academic year," a higher education ministry official pointed out.
Similarly, during 2007-08, of the 1,09,784 available seats colleges had managed to find students for 94,346 seats, which meant that only around 14% of the seats remained vacant.
"Less than half-a-dozen of the engineering colleges in the state were able to attract students for the entire sanctioned student intake strength in the current academic year. While several institutions admitted students in double digits against an individual sanctioned students' strength ranging from 240 to 300, less than 10 students were admitted in three private colleges," the official added.
Academics felt that the figures reflected two aspects one, that parents and students did not have faith in the quality of education provided in many private institutions and second they stayed away due to prohibitive costs of engineering education.
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