SAKTHI BOOKS CURRENT EVENTS

June, 2011

Film world greets Chitralaya Gopu

30 : Chief Minister Jayalalitha and senior artists from the film world greeted film director and playwrite Chitralaya Gopu on the occasion of his 80th birthday on June 30.

China opens the Beijing-Shanghai high-speed train service

China opens the Beijing-Shanghai high-speed train service to the public. The $33-billion, 1,318-km railway line links the nation’s capital with the financial centre. China also opens the world’s longest sea bridge (36,48 km), which connects Qingdao to Huangdao, to traffic. The $2.3-billion bridge is expected to boost the development of an industrial zone in Huangdao and to facilitate the rise of foreign trade. Chinese officials also announce the completion of a 9.47-km-long undersea tunnel that runs parallel to the bridge.

New Home Secretary

30 : Mr. Raj Kumar Singh takes over as the New Home Secretary, succeeding Mr. Gopal Krishna Pillai.

Restaurant restrained from using ‘Thalappakattu’

The Madras High Court has granted a limited order of injunction restraining Thalapakkattu Biriyani and fast food, temporarily called “Chennai Rowther Thalappakkattu Briyani”, Koyambedu, from using the name “Thalappakkattu” in any of the restaurants / shops opened after Nov. 19, 2008. It was on that date a consant order was passed by a Division Bench of the High Court. Passing an order on applications in civil suits filed by Thalappakatti Naidu Ananda Vilas Biriyani Hotel, Dindigul Justice V. Ramasubramanian said that in other words the defendent was entitled to use the name in respect of the four shops that were in existence as on Nov. 19, 2008 in the manner as agreed to before the Division Bench. But the benefit of the consent given by the plaintiff before the Bench would not be available to the defendent in respect of the shops opened after that date.

Samacheer Kalvi : Amendment to Act valid legislation

The Tamil Nadu govt. on Tuesday submitted before the Madras High Court that the amendment to the Tamil Nadu Uniform System of School Education Act to defer implementation of the ‘Samacheer’ system is a valid legislation that empowers the government to decide when to implement the syllabus after everhouling it throughly based on the recommendations of a committee. A committee appointed as per the Supreme  Courts directions was review of the syllabus, curriculum and text books prepared as per the Act. 

Court says it cannot appreciate tax exemption for IPL matches

The Madras High Court on June, 28 said that it could not appreciate entertainment tax exemption for IPL matches in Tamil Nadu Ordering notice to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) on a public interest litigation petition, the first Bench, comprising Chief Justice M.Y. Iqbal and Justice T.S. Sivagnanam, said that prima facie there was no authority to regulate entertainment tariff nor were the organisers paying entertainment tax. Tickets were sold at exorbitant rates for ` 25,000 and ` 40,000.

IT firms outsource training programmes

Come July, many engineering graduates, recruited by major software companies, will head to Bangalore, Mysore, Coimbatore of various locations in the city for a training process which will make them “industry ready”. Over 15,000 graduates across Tamil Nadu have already received their joining letters with training dates and many others would soon receive them, say NASSCOM officials. But the duration and the skills they would acquire remain uncertain for, according to industry sources, expenditure on training fresh graduates in decreasing “Most big companies have reduced their training for graduates  is just six weeks”. TCS, Infosys, Wipro are among the few firms that have their own inbuilt training houses, while most others outsource their training.

VAT on cooking gas waived

Chief Minister Jayalalithaa announced the waiver of four per cent Value Added Tax on liquefied petroleum gas for domestic purpose,  bringing down the retail price of an LPG domestic cylinder from ` 404.40 to ` 389.67. The relief to the users of the LPG domestic cylinders would be ` 14.73 a cylinder. In a statement, she said the waiver would came into force from July 1. Hereafter, the VAT would not be levied on domestic cylinders.

Galaxy is named ULASJ1120+0641

European astronomers announce that they have snared light from a bright, ancient galaxy with a super-massive black hold at its core, a finding that will help explain aspects of the young universe. The galaxy is named ULASJ1120+0641.

Sri Lankan currencies permitted for international transactions

The Sri Lankan Central Bank announces that Chinese Renminbi (people’s currency; primary unit is Yuan) will be included in the list of designated currencies permitted for international transactions through banks in Sri Lanka.

India assured British export control regimes

29 : Foreign Secretary Ms. Nirupama Rao holds talks with the British Government in London. At the talks, India is assured British support for its bid for full membership of the four multilateral export control regimes. India wants to join the Nuclear Suppliers Group, the Missile Technology Control Regime, the Australia Group and the Wassenaar Group. 

Coast Guard to acquire 20 ships, 10 aircraft

The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) is in the process of ramping up its security infrastructure, ICG Commander S.P. Sharma (Eastern Region) said. Coast Guard would soon be acquiring 20 ships and 10 aircrafts besides opening four new stations in Eastern Region alone.

New Minister in Cabinet, Portfolios shuffled

A. Mohammed John, Member of Legilsative Assembly representing the Ranipet constituency in Vellore district, will be sworn in Cabinet Minister. He will be designated as the Backward classes and Minorities Welfare Minister.

First women MD in IMF

French Finance Minister Ms. Christine Lagarde is elected Managing Director of the International  Monetary Fund (IMF), she succeeds Mr. Dominique Strauss-Kahn.

Diverse areas as film production & higher education

28 : India and New Zealand resolve to diversify their ties in non-traditional areas such as defence. At a meeting held in New Delhi between Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and his visiting New Zealand counterpart Mr. John Key, both sides also express themselves in favour of a free trade agreement (FTA). The two sides also sign protocols in such diverse areas as film production and higher education and research to strengthen people-to-people interaction.

Panchaloha idols unearthed

Nearly a dozen panchaloha idols and pooja articles were unearthed during renovation work at an ancient temple in Gunakarambakkam village in Sriperumbudur in Kancheepuram district. The idols were recovered after a workers crowbar came into contact with a stone-like object. Just one feet below the surface, they unearthed idols of Siva, Parvathi and Muruga which were in a single row. In a couple of hours, the digging revealed idols of Somaskandar, Amman and other deities. Further pooja articles such as “deepa golusu’, a ‘Tirumikkili’ used to adorn the presiding deities and ‘Utsavar’ idols, a “Deeparaadhanai paadham’ and a “Valampuri” canch were also recovered.

Comprehensive and Policy soon

The metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) will soon expand the scope of display ads on its buses and termini. It is in the process of framing a comprehensive advertisement policy. Over 1,000 buses in the MTC’s fleet of 3,300 sport advertisement. The revenue earned by the Corporation from the advertisers has gone up from ` 5.5 crore in 2009-10 to ` 7 crore in 2010-11. A senior official said various options are under consideration, including leasing out space for advertisers in termini in exchange for cleaning, maintenance and upkeep. He said the proposed policy would try to find a meaningful balance between the need for advertising revenue and an avoidance of visual clutter.

Japan win the FIH women’s champions challenge hockey tournment

Japan win the FIH Women’s Champions Challenge hockey tournament in Dublin, Ireland, beating USA in the final. Scotland take the third place.

Chinese P.M. opposed to NATO

27 : Chinese Prime Minister Mr. Wen Jiabao says that his country is opposed to NATO military action in Libya which, instead of protecting civilians, has actually “led to loss of innocent civilian lives”.

Iran Age bruial site found near Tiruvannamalai

Megalithic burial sites (Cairn Circles), discovered near Veeranam in Tiruvannamalai district, can be dated to 1,000 BCE – 300 CE. “These burial sites have hidden secrets of the social life of the Sangam age. The poets of the Sangam age talk about such build sites, which are equally or more important than the Tamil Brahmi sites”. 

Court calls for scheme to develop Rameswaram

Observing that Rameswaram has been totally neglected all these years, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has directed the Chief Secretary to consider the feasibility of framing a scheme for the development of the pilgrim centre and the shrine there on a par with Tirupati and Madurai.

European Grand Prix Formula One

Germany’s Sebastian Vettel of Red Bull wins the European Grand Prix Formula One title in Valenica, Spain.

New Director–General for FAO

Mr. Jose Graziano da Silva of Brazil is elected Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). He succeeds Mr. Jacques Diouf. 

Scheme to train young advocates

26 : The Union Law Ministry launches a scheme to train young advocates practising in Magistrate and Munsif courts. The objective of the programme is to motivate them to continue their practice at the grassroots level.

MSME sector for Korean investors

The Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) sector in Tamil Nadu offers a bounty of opportunities for Korean investors, S. Sivagnanam, Director of MSME, Govt. of India, said. Calling for dismantling of bilateral trade barriers to further boost business and investment as envisaged by the comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between the two countries, Mr. Sivagnanam said Tamil Nadu was ideally placed as an investment destination in terms of rapid industrialisation and favourable business climate.

More nation shops planned

Minister for Co-operation Sellur K. Raju said efforts were under way to identify land belonging to Chennai Corporation  and other government departments to establish fair price shops. The MPLADS and MLA   local area development funds will be used for this. In the city, only 20 per cent of fair price shops function from our own premises. We also want to open more fair price shops as the number of family cards in some of the shops is more than what they can handle; he said.

Picture postcards to be sold at post offices

Fifteen post offices in Chennai and its suburbs will start selling picture postcards from August. On the decision of the Department of posts, officials said picture postcards, the post offices would be the natural choice. Since many visitors to the city, particularly foreigners, for likely to come to post offices for using other serivces, it makes sense it also sell picture postcards.

12th IIFA Awards Ceremony

The 12th IIFA Awards ceremony is held in Toronto, Canada. The prominent awardees are : Ahsa Bhosle (Lifetime Achievement) : Dabangg (Best Film); Shah Rukh Khan (Best Actor for My Name Is Khan) ; Anushka Sharma (Best Actress for Band Baja Baraat) ; Karan Johar (Best Director for My Name Is Khan); Irrfan Khan (Outstanding Achievement in International Cinema); Sharmila Tagore (Outstanding Achievement in Indian Cinema), etc., among others.

Centre investment target for infrastructure project

25 : Data released by the Centre shows that the delay in projects has resulted in increasing costs to the government. The data reveals that while the Centre plans to set a $1-trillion investment target for infrastructure projects in the 12th Five-Year Plan (2012-17), the tardy pace of execution continues to pose a big threat. In 2010-11, completion delays cost the government ` 1,20,627.15 crore.

New TNPSC Secretary

T. Udhayachandran, Commissioner, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, has been appointed as Secretary. Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission, with an approval of Governor.

Bench quashes orders passed against foresters

The Madras High Court Bench has quashed two orders passed by the District Forest Officer, Kodaikanal Division, on Feb. 28, 2006 to recover ` 7.98 lakh from the salary of two Foresters for the shortage of timber worth over ` 15 lakh from a forest sales depot when they were working at Konalar sector in the Berijam range. Justice D. Hariparanthaman quashed the recovery orders on the ground that the forest department had found out the shortage three year after the two Foresters left the range through they were supposed to conduct annual inspections as per the Forest Manual. The foresters could not be held responsible for the irregularities that might have occurred during the long gap of three years, he said. The judge also pointed out that the department had actually fixed the responsibility for the loss of the timber on one Ranger, two Foresters and four Forest Guards.

New hostel for Stanley medical college students

The much awaited new hostel for students of Govt. Stanley College Hospital is ready for occupation. According to the college authorities, the key would be handed over either an June 30 on July 1. Three-storey building will accommodate around 300 under graduate and 140 post graduate students. The main lounge of the hostel branches out into several coridors along which 250 well ventilated rooms fan out.

Interior exterior expo opens

The 21st edition of the Zak Interior Exterior of the Expo & Furniture Fair opened at the Chennai Trade Centre, Nandambakkam. The interior deisgn, furniture, furnishing and decor accessories expo will be on till June 26. The display profile at the expo includes cabinet and dining furniture, upholstery, kitchen and bathroom furniture, modular kitchens, security systems, batteries and inverters, wall and floor coverings, tiles and ceramics, tableware, outdoor and garden furniture, furnishing, decorative accessories, linens, lightings, rugs, curtains and blinds, water purifiers, airconditioners, doors and windows, artfacts, handicrafts, and points. Products from Italy, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, China, Japan and Korea are featured at the exhibition.

Life sentence to Rwanda

Ms. Pauline Nyiramasuhuko, a former Rwandan minister for women’s empowerment, becomes the first-ever woman to be found guilty of genocide and incitement to rape by an international tribunal. The International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) hands her a life sentence.

India-Pakistan bilateral talks in Islamabad

Indian Foreign Secretary Ms. Nirupama Rao and her Pakistani counterpart Mr. Salman Bashir conclude their two-day bilateral talks in Islamabad, Pakistan. At the talks, the two sides agree to foster peace through cessation of hostile propaganda and strengthening cooperation on counter-terrorism. They also agree to reduce divergences and build convergences on Jammu and Kashmir.

Centre raises the price of diesel, kerosene, gas

24 : The Centre raises the price of diesel by ` 3 a litre, kerosene by ` 2 a litre and domestic LPG by ` 50 per cylinder.

Three more right shelters opened

The Chennai Corporation has opened three more right shalter for the homeless people in the city. With this, the number of such facilities set up by the civic body has gone up to six. The corporation proposes to open six more shelters by October 31. This was conveyed at a review meeting of the implementation of the Supreme Court directive on homeless issue in Tamil Nadu at the Secretariat at Chennai. The three new shelters are in Ayyappa Nagar, Koyambedu; Cox colony, Chindadaripet, and Ibrahim Salai in Vallal Seethakadhi Nagar. The old facilities are in Kodungaiyur, Kannappar Thidal and Thatankulam. The total number of night shelters needed in city is 66, according to the directive.

After gold coins, its watches for sale at post offices.

Sales of HMT watches through post offices in the city was launched at the Anna Salai HPO on June 22. The decision of the Department of posts to tie up with HMT Ltd., was taken following the overwhelming customer response to the sale of gold coins through post offices. Besides Anna Salai HPO, the watches would be sold at the Chennai GPO. Around 50 models of HMT watches in the ` 395 to ` 3,300 price range would be displayed at the two post offices. A discount ranging from 10 to 25 percent on select models would be available till June 30.

Dravid 32nd century in test series

India defeat hosts West Indies by 63 runs, with a day to spare, in the first Test of the series in Kingston, Jamaica. India’s middle-order stalwart Rahul Dravid, who scores a brilliant century (his 32nd in tests) in the second innings, is named the Man of the match.

Malaysia amnesty for illegal foreign workers to create job

Malaysia announces amnesty for illegal foreign workers so that they can be deported suitably to create jobs for local citizens; the elaborate deportation exercise will last till the end of the year 2011.

Health insurance covered domestic workers

23 : The Union Cabinet approves an extension of the health insurance cover; following this, India’s 47.50 lakh domestic workers will be covered under the Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana.

Jeppiar commissioned as Colonel (Honorary)

Jeppiar, Chancellor, Sathyabama University, was commissioned as calonel (Honorary), by the National Cadet Corps (NCC) Directorate, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Andaman Niccobar. like Universities great honorary doctorates, the NCC has been honouring educationists with honorary colonel post in recognition of their services to improve the human resources, said commander BRM Vidayasagar 4 (TN) Naval Technical Unit NCC.

Candidates did not breach poll expenditure ceiling.

The ceiling of ` 16 lakh for election expanditure was not exceeded by winners and those who finished second and third slots in the Assembly elections. According to the details of election expandidutre hosted on the website of the state Elections Department, Chief Minister Jayalalithaa who won from Srirangam, incurved an expenditure of about ` 9.5 lakh; Former Chief Minister Karunanidhi spent ` 4.48 lakh; M.K. Stalin spent ` 3.33 lakh; Vijayakant spent ` 7.97 lakh; O. Panneerselvam spent ` 8.48 lakh; Saidai S. Duraisamy spent ` 6.12 lakh and K.V. Thangabalu spent ` 4.08 lakh.

Allocated amount for mixies, grinders & fans

The State Government has earmarked ` 1,250 crore towards free distribution of mixies, wet grinders and electric fans this year. As a measure of implenting of the ruling AIADMK’s electoral promise, the govt. has proposed to distribute consumer durables to 1.83 crore women beneficiaries. This year, the plan is to cover about 25 lakh beneficiaries. The Governor S.S. Barnala said the scheme would be launched on September 15 on the occasion of birth anniversary of former Chief Minister C.N. Annadurai.

SPB, Lakshme honoured

Veterans representing the artist’s fraternity showed encomiums on playback  singer S.P. Balasubramaniyam and actor Lakshme who were honoured by the Siva Foundation, Chennai. Mr. Balasubramaniyan received the ‘Madhavapeddi Satyam Award’, while Ms. Lakshme was conferred the ‘Madhavapeddi Probhavathi Award”.

Supercomputer named ‘K’

A New Yark Times report says that Japanese scientists have come up with a supercomputer that has been named the most powerful system in the world. The supercomputer named ‘K’ is capable of making 8.2 quadrillion calculations per second, which is equivalent to a million laptops working in tandem. It is three times faster than its Chinese rival that previously held the top position.

Lan Xing of China wins Gold

Lan Xing of China wins the Gold in  the men’s 50-m rifle event at the shooting World Cup in Munich, Germany; Stephanie Tirode of France takes the women’s 10-m air pistol Gold.

US withdraw troops from war-torn nation

US President Mr. Barack Obama declares that the US has largely achieved its goals in Afghanistan, setting in motion a substantial withdrawal of troops from the war-torn nation. The plan involves withdrawal of 10,000 troops from Afghanistan by the end of 2011. It is also declared that the remaining 20,000 troops from the 2009 “surge” of forces will also leave by the summer of 2012, amounting to a third of the 1,00,000 troops now in the country.

NAC approve NFSB 2011

22 : The National Advisory Council (NAC), led by Ms. Sonia Gandhi, approves the draft National Food Security Bill, 2011, which seeks to make food support to people in hunger a duty of the state.

Visually impaired person takes over as principal

K.M. Prabhu took charge as the principal of Chikkanna Govt. Arts College, Tirupur. He was among a group of people who took charge at various govt. colleges, but there is a slight twist to his story. He is the first visually impaired person to do so in the states. Dr. Prabhu (55), an English Language Teaching expert, had retinitis pigmentosa and his vision deteriorated during his school years. He completely lost sight by the time he finished school. Undeterred, he went on to qualify in English literature from Madras Christian College with flying colours, and then to complete his Ph.D. He served in Govt. Art College, Nandanam, for many years before he was deputed to BPS College, Haryana, to set up language labs for students. He created six such labs, and says he also managed to get the students to converse fluently in English within six months. Before taking change at Tirupur, he was Asst. Professor and Head of the Dept. (in-charge) Presidency College, Chennai.

Elected as Chief of Directors’ Association :

Director Bharathiraja has been elected as the president of Tamil Nadu Film Directors’ Association for which the election was held on June 19. Bharathiraja won by a marging of 1,003 votes against assistant director S. Murali. A total of 1,379 votes were polled.

International Jurists award

Mr. Vijay Darda, Congress MP and the chairman of the Lokmat media group is presented with the International Jurists’ Award at the International Conference of Jurists for Judicial Reforms in London, England. He is honoured for his seminal role in the field of legal education in India’s rural areas.

Turkey wins Shooting World Cup

Yusuf Dikec of Turkey wins the Gold in the men’s 10-m air pistol event at the shooting World Cup in Munich, Germany; Sona Pfeilschifter of Germany clinches the women’s 50-m rifle Gold.

Final meeting of the Lokpal Bill Joint Drafting Committee

21 : The ninth and final meeting of the Lokpal Bill Joint Drafting Committee is held in New Delhi. The government representatives and the civil society members hit a roadblock, basically due to the government’s insistence on keeping the Prime Minister out of the Bill’s ambit.

Chief Minister donates battery car to Srirangam temple

The Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, donated a battery-operated car to the Srirangam Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, shortly after offering worship to the presiding deity. The Chief Minister rode the vehicle for about 15 metres from the Sri Karthigai Gopura Vasal up to Sri Ramanujar Sannidhi, marking the inauguration of the battery-operated car. The battery-operated car in valued at about Rs. 4.5 lakhs, and can seat four people besides driver. Also unveiled another battery operated car, with a seating capacity of 11 persons and a driver, worth about ` 5.5 lakhs, provided by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment department.

Youngest major winner US Open golf championship

Rory Mcllroy of Northern Ireland clinches the title of the 111th US Open golf championship, in Maryland, USA. The 22-year-old becomes the youngest Major winner since Tiger Woods at the 1997 Masters and the youngest US Open winner in 88 years, since Bobby Jones of USA who won the championship in 1923.

Singapore urges China to be precise its claims

20 : Singapore urges China to be precise about its claims of sovereignty and jurisdiction over the South China Sea.

Family domination major cause of DMK defeat – study

“First family domination in political affairs” was the major causes of the defeat of the DMK in the Assembly elections, according to the findings of a ‘people studies poll’ conducted by Loyola College volunteers from May 21 to 29 and June 11 to 15. As many as 3,132 persons drawn from all districts voiced their views. Mr. S. Rajanayagam, Professor, people studies, said while 49.7 per cent of the respondents blamed family politics for the DMK’s drubbing in polls, corruption in govt. departments, 2G spectrum allocation scam, power cut and price rise were the other reasons cited. For the failure of the Congress, 61.5 per cent respondents found its ‘double role’ in the Sri Lankan Tamils issue as the major cause.

July 15 as Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery Day

The Association of plastic surgeons of India has proposed to declare July 15 as Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Day, every surgeon will be urged to do at least one surgery free of cost in an effort to reach out to the needy, said S. Raja Sabapathy its President. He said as plastic surgery was a lesser known field of speciality, the Association had also signed a memorandum of understanding with the Indian Medical Association and the College of General Practitioners to deliver lectures at the IMA meetings.  

Plea to increase old age pension

The Federation of Senior Citizens Associations of Tamil Nadu has appealed to the Centre to increase the monthly old age pension to 3,000. In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the associations General Secretary, S.M. Chellaswamy said this was essential to meet the high cost of living. He thanked the government for reducing age of eligibility for availing the pension from 65 to 60.

Soon pay property tax at post offices

Those remitting property tax to Chennai Corporation may soon to be able to make such payments at computerised post offices in the city. The proposal has gained momentum after the civic body received a written communication last weak from Department of Posts seeking concurrence for the project. Over 90 computerised post offices located in the Chennai Corporation limits are likely to be included in the list of centres.

Zero Emission Hypersonic Transportation

European aerospace giant EADS unveils its “Zero Emission Hypersonic Transportation (Zehst) rocket plane in Paris, France. Its designers hope that it will be able to fly from Paris to Tokyo in 2.5 hours by around 2050. It will take off using normal engines powered by biofuels made from seaweed before switching on its rocket engines. The rocket engines, powered by hydrogen and oxygen whose  only exhaust is water vapour, will propel the plane to a cruising altitude of 32,000 metres. By comparison, today’s passenger jets fly at around 10,000 metres.

National Hockey championship

Haryana beat Karnataka 2-1 in the final in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, to win the National Hockey championship.

American forces destroy guerilla fighters

Vietnam kicks off the first phase of a joint plan with former enemy America to clean up environmental damage left-over from the chemical defoliant Agent Orange, which the American forces had sprayed over Vietnam to destroy the guerilla fighters’ jungle cover during the Vietnam War.

Tata & Ambani groups growth

19 : Latest data reveals that the changing market dynamics have led to the Tata Group overtaking the combined market wealth of the two Ambani groups put together, the stock market wealth of the entire Tata Group has grown close to ` 4,40,000 crore, bigger than the combined figure of the two Ambani groups together at about ` 3,67,000 crore.

Allowance enhanced for parsons with disability

The monthly maintenance allowance given by the govt. to persons with disability under three schemes has been enhanced from ` 500 to ` 1,000. The  move, benefiting 76,407 persons, will entail additional expenditure of ` 46 crore to the govt. annually. Beneficiaries of  the marriage assistance programme for persons with disability will also be given benefits that are now applicable under the revised marrriage assistance schemes for women. For those who hold graduate degrees or diplomas, the assistance will be ` 50,000 apart from four gm. of gold. In respect of others the assistance will be ` 25,000 along with 4 gm. of gold.

Lacunae in issue of online birth & death certificates :

The Chennai Corporation’s online birth/death certificate facility is a much-sought feature but is not without hiccups. For several persons who tried to get the certificates online are disappointed as their names do not feature in the listing on the website. Corporation Health Officer P. Kugananthan said a person who  prints the certificate from the online data base need not worry about the authenticity of the certificate. On the names missing from the online records, he said, “we have made about 25 lakh entries online. Some name may have been missed out. Persons who do not find their names can approach us. It will take some time as we have to search through our records but they will be mode available”. Officials say that in cases where the records are damaged, they would recreate the records based on the information provided by the applicant.

Government Dental college in Madurai

A govt. dental college is likely to come up soon in Madurai to cater to the increasing demand for dental courses in the State, Health Minister V.S. Vijay said. He was speaking at the inauguration of a three-day cultural fest at the Tamil Nadu Govt. Dental College, Madurai Dr. Vijay said efforts would be made to consider the requests put forward by the college principal K.S.G.A. Nasser, to improve in-house facilities in the hospital. We receive around 900-1,600 patients a day from across the State, and Andhra Pradesh too”, said Dr. Nasser.

Panal on quality of syllabus announced

The state govt. announced the composition of nine member committee to examine the quality of syllabus and textbooks under the Samacheer Kalvi scheme. Giving particulars of the composition, a release issued by Chief Minister Jayalalithaa state that the panel would submit its report to the Madras High Court by July 6, as directed by the Supreme Court. In a statement, the DYFI state committee said they owned private schools in Chennai. Such proprietors of schools could not be desired as educationists. “It is well known that managements of private schools have been vehamenly opposing the uniform syllabus. The committee has not been constituted in the interests of students and parents; on the contrary it appears to be an attempt to burry deep the concept of ‘Samacheer Kalvi’ “the DYFI said.

Eastbourne tennis

Marion Bartoli of France wins the women’s singles title at the Eastbourne tennis tournament in London, beating Czech Petra Kvitova in the final.

Afghan President reveals US is holding talks with the Taliban

Afghan President Mr. Hamid Karzai reveals that the US is holding talks with the Taliban in Afghanistan. This is the first official confirmation of such contacts after 10 years of war.

Growth in biotech and life sciences

18 : Data released by the Centre shows that the Indian biotech and life sciences industry recorded the fastest pace of growth in the last five years, touching revenues of over ` 18,399 crore in 2010-11.

Tamil meet logo on text books being marked

The School Education Department has entrusted Chief Educational Officers (CEOs) various districts with the responsibility of ensuring that class I and VI textbooks, as per the Samacheer Kalvi syllabus, reach schools soon. Sources in the department said the books were ready, but the logo of Semmozhi Conference’ printed on the back wrappers had to be covered. Officials, over the last few days, have been engaged this, cardboard strips and pasting then over the logo. “Not all books have the bogo, only the newly-printed ones do.

Revised fee structure on C.D.

The School Education Department, Special Officer in the Committee, A. Thirugnanasambandan, said that its Chairman, former Madras High Court judge K. Raviraja Pandian, had instructed the members to compile the complete reports rather than simply the revised fee amount. For some of the high and higher secondary schools in Chennai whose reports of the revised fee structure were handed over, the hike has been satisfactory according to school heads.  Nursery sections have been allowed to change arround ` 6,750, classes I to II ` 7,000, classes VI to VIII around ` 8,350, classes IX and X around ` 10,450 and classes XI and XII around ` 15,500.

Air India officers time-bound unlimited travel scheme

Air India has launched a short-term promotion scheme-silver and platinum passes – from June 15 for its passengers in the domestic net-work. The passes will be valid for 10 days and are being offered in two variants for unlimited travel in economy and executive class in the domestic sector of the carrier. The day of commencement of the journey will be treated as the first day and ten days will be counted from that date for determining travel validity passengers buying the silver pass can fly in economy class to any domestic sector of their choice at a fare of ` 30,000, while holders of the platinum pass can travel in executive class to any domestic distination at a fare of Rs.30,000, while holders of the platinum pass can travel in executive class to any domestic destination at a fare of Rs.50,000. The rate is inclusive of taxes and the offer is upto September 25.

Accord priority to infrastructure

Japanese Ambassador to India Akitaka Saiki has urged the state govt. to accord priority to infrastructure development so that it holds on to its stature as home to the largest number of Japanese companies in India. Mr. Saiki said though Tamil Nadu was at the moment running faster than other states, “investment does not take place automatically”, and states that offered better conditions turned victorious (in attaching, trade and investment). Of the 700 Japanese companies in India, 240 are located in and around Chennai.

Technical institutions to be approved this year

Not more than 50 technical institutions, including engineering colleges and polytechnics will be approved for admissions this academic year. While about 50 new engineering colleges were being started every year in the past five years, this year, the number could be just of that. After the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) made the application process for starting new colleges online to eliminate middleman and ensure transparency and as it has started functioning more like regulatory body imposing stringent norms, the rejection rate has increased.

Interstate amateur golf championship

Chikarangappa of Bengaluru clinches the individual title at the Inter-State amateur golf championship in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. 

UN secretary elected for second five-year term

UN Secretary-General Mr. Ban Ki-moon is elected by the General Assembly for a second five-year term.

CECA between India and Russia

17 : At a meeting between Commerce and Industry Minister Mr. Anand Sharma and his Russian counterpart Ms. Elvira Nebullina, India and Russia express a desire to more towards formalising a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) in an attempt to expand trade and investment  beyond the traditional strongholds of oil, gas and defence equipment.

Tirupati-Madurai Express to stop at six stations :

The biweekly Tirupati-Madurai Express will stop at Thiruvannamalai, Chidambaram, Kumbakonam  and Kodai Road on an experimental basis, for six months from July 1, it has been submitted before the Madras High Court.

Projects for industrial estates

The Chennai Auto Auxcillary Upgradation Company (AAIIUC) has sought ` 13.61 crore from the Central and State govts. to complete the infrastructure projects in three industrial estates at Ambattur, Thirumudivakkam and Thirumazhisai. AAIIUC is a special purpose vehicle jointly promoted by the Central and State Govts. and stakeholders to upgrade infrastructure at the three industrial estates. The SPV is seeking the govt. support in view of the shortage of funds to complete various project.

Ashden Award

Two Indian companies, Husk Power Systems of Bihar and Abellon Clean Energy Ltd. of Gujarat, are honoured with the Ashden Award for sustainable Energy at a ceremony in London, England.

Indian wins Test series

Hosts West Indies beat India by seven wickets in the fifth and final match of the series in Kingston, Jamaica; with this, the series ends 3-2 in India’s favour.

Russia and China increase bilateral trade

Russia and China agree to increase  bilateral trade to $200 billion by 2020 and vow to build strategic ties in the energy sector.

RBI hikes the repo rate

16 : The Reserve Bank of India hikes the repo rate (at which banks borrow funds from the RBI) by 25 basis points to 7.5 percent, and the reverse repo rate (at which banks park their funds with the central bank) by the same margin to 6.5 percent.

Passport Sevak Kendra buildings nearing completion

Under the passport Sevak Kendra, the Ministry of External Affairs had outsourced the collection and initial scanning work to the Tata Consultancy services. The work of verification and granting passport would remain with the Ministry. In Chennai, three PSK offices will be set up in Thambaram, Vadapalani and Nelson Manickam Road

Infrastructure created at Pulicat

Out of the 11 components proposed in the Pulicot Tourism project, four have been completed, said a communication issued by the commissionarate of Tourism. This facilities include construction of a toilet block, landscaping near Madha Church, provision for de-solination of sea water management for the entire Pulicat area. The state Tourism Department had sent a proposal to the Centre seeking ` 5 crore to develop Pulicot and it received ` 2.6 crore.

Rightousness a must for harmony : Kalam

Former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam’s inaugural address, a day ahead of the Commencement of the Sri Kanchi Mahaswami Vidya Mandir in Rojakilpakkam, Tambaram, Mr. Kalam said “where there is rightenousness in the heart, there is harmony in the house, there is order in the nation, when there is order in the nation there is peace in the world”. He said that only three people – mother, father and teacher of every child could inculate righteousness in young minds. Mr. Kalam said the menace of curruption could be wiped out only “when the man and women in each home stood against curruption. Curruption has assumed massive proportions. It is the duty of each and every single parent in India to show their children the path against curruption”, Dr. Kalam said.

International Peace Award

The Anuvrat Ahimsa International Peace Award is conferred on noted Gandhian philosophy exponent Dr. Thomas Clough Daffern in Jaipur, Rajasthan. The awardee is the Director of London-based International Institute of Peace Studies and Global Philosophy.

TN wins sub-junior girls throwball championship

Tamil Nadu clinch the title of the National sub-junior girls’ throwball championship in chennai.

No plans to build nuclear weapons – says Iran

Iran assures Russia that it has no plans to build nuclear weapons and is willing to resume the six-party talks.

100 corporates companies tax payment increased

15 : Figures released by the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) reveal that advance tax payment by India’s top 100 corporates jumped by 14 percent for the April-June 2011-12 quarter on good collections from the banking and financial sector.

Stage set for CSIR – UGC National Eligibility Test

CSIR-UGC NET for Junior Research Fellow and Lectureship Exam. for chemical, earth, life, mathematical and physical sciences will be held at Karaikudi. Arrangements have been made for 6000 candidates hailing from the southern districts of the state to take the examination.

SSC to recruit 1 lakh condidates this year

During the current year, the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) will recruit about 1 lakh candidates for different posts against 23,500 persons recruited during 2010-11, said its Chairman N.K. Raghupathy. He said that the commission had fixed a target to recruit 1 lakh candidates, of which 70,000 were for the post of constable in Central Police Organisations (CPOs), including Assam Rifles and Indo-Tibatan Border Police Force (ITBPF) and 30,000 other jobs. SSC will offer jobs to 10,000 candidates from Tamil Nadu of which 8,500 are for the post of constable.

Inter-State Athletics championship

Kerala take the overall honours at the inter-State athletics championship which concludes in Bengaluru, Punjab and Tamil Nadu take the second and the third places, respectively.

International Seminar on taxation laws

14 : A two-day international seminar on taxation laws, organised jointly  by the Finance Ministry and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), concludes in New Delhi. At the seminar, Finance Minister Mr. Pranab Mukherjee calls for global efforts to end banking secrecy.

Dalits enter temple near Pollachi with protection :

The agitation was led by State convener of Adi Tamilar Viduthalai Munnani, Ravikumar and State Secretary of Untouchability Eradication Front over 50 workers, including women and children entered the Vanniyakumarasamy temple in protest against discrimination of the Dalit Community denying them temple entry.

Continue Samacheer Kalvi : CPI (M)

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has urged the State govt. to continue implementing the “Samacheer Kalvi” (Uniform syllabus) this year also, without any delay. G. Ramakrishnan, State secretary pointed out that the schemes come into being last year and accordingly it was introduced for I and II standards. During the current academic year, it should have been introduced for the II to V and VII to X stds.

Research Centre to be setup

SRM University will set up a space and Satellite Research Centre on its Kattankulathur campus. The Centre, to be set up in association with the Indian Space Research Organisation would be in place by year end.

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