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.
Sunday, October 21, 2007
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.
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