SAKTHI BOOKS CURRENT EVENTS

November, 2013

Terms set for banks’ entry into insurance broking

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has released draft guidelines for entry of banks into insurance broking business. “Since insurance broking is a knowledge-intensive activity requiring professional expertise, this will be permitted subject to the certain conditions” the RBI said. Banks desirous of offering insurance broking services however, have to get specific prior approval of RBI. Validity period for the approval granted for insurance broking will be three years subject to review thereafter”, the RBI said.

PIL challenges Bharat Ratna for Tendulkar

A Chennai advocate has filed a public interest litigation petition in the Madras High Court, seeking to declare the govt’s decision to confer Bharat Ratna on cricketer Sachin Tendulkar and scientist C.N.R. Rao non est in law.

Chennai Corporation suspends issuing of birth, death certificates

The Chennai Corporation has suspended issuance of fresh birth and death certificates. This follows the unearthing of irregularities in issuing of certificates earlier this week. The civic body is planning to evolve a new system to fix responsibility for uploading to evolve a new system to fix responsibility for uploading and validating the certificates. Certificates of birth and death recorded in some major hospitals that already have provisions for uploading data directly have not been validated today.

Keyhole lung transplant performed on 60 year old

Surgeons at Global Health City have performed a minimally – invasive lung transplant on a 60 year old patient, who has been suffering from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis for the last 11 years. The lung transplant was done through a seven-inch long incision, which is nearly one-third the length used in the conventional procedure, doctors said.

Answer all calls – Corporation to officials

The Chennai Corporation has instructed all its officials to answer residents calls on their official mobile phones. Chief Minister has directed the corporation to ensure quick response to civic issues reported by residents. The civic body has already shared ‘mobile phone numbers of its officials, including chief engineers and superindending engineers, online. Ward and zonal offices too have displayed mobile numbers of various officials.

Ramanathapuram tops in passport applications

The drought-prone economically backward Ramanathapuram has emerged as the top district in south zone in seeking passports. More than 10,000 persons have applied for the third successive year. Most of them prefered to visit Malaysia, Singapore and Gulf countries for better prospects in the absence of industries and employment opportunities in the districts. A total of 10,140 people applied for passports. In 2012 the  number rose to 11,957. In the first 10 months this year 10,630 applied. Besides, people have applied for renewal of passports “just like getting ration cards, people get passports.

Excellence in Governance award

Mr. Ashwani Lohani, Northern Railway engineer, is presented the “Excellence in Governance” award. He has written a comprehensive report on ‘Rail Heritage and Tourism’ and ‘Steam Heritage Tourism’.

44th International Film Festival of India

In the 44th International Film Festival of India, East Timor’s first feature film, ‘Beatriz’s War’, wins the Golden Peacock award for the 2013 best film.

World’s most aggressive HIV strain

Swedish researchers report the discovery of the world’s most aggressive HIV strain.

Comet of the century

Comet ISON, touted as “comet of the century”, which went around the Sun a day ago fizzles out during its swing around the Sun, leaving a trail of dust.

7th Women’s Indian Open Golf

Thailand’s Thidapa Suwannapura wins the seventh Women’s Indian Open held at Delhi Golf Club.

Landmark on nuclear deal with Iran

After the landmark nuclear deal with Iran, the US exempts India and eight other countries, including China, Korea and Taiwan, from Iran sanctions for another six months with additional significant reductions in their Iranian crude oil purchases.

Japanese Prime visits New Delhi

Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko arrive in New Delhi for a five-day visit.

Tamil Nadu prepared to take over D.D. Medical College

In case the Madras High Court issues a direction, the Tamil Nadu govt. is prepared to take over D.D. Medical College and Hospital without liabilities. The institution’s petition challenging an order of the Medical Council of India on October 14 this year, following the college admitting students without statutory permission was also listed.

City gets Belgium Consular office

Belgium on Nov. 28, launched a consultate General office in Chennai to build on rapidly expanding bilateral ties with India. Princes Astrid, representative of the king of Belgium, who has led a high-power trade delegation to India, formally opened the facility, which is only the second consoulate General and third diplomatic mission of the federal monarchy in India.

Spot fines are no deterrent to motorists on phone

Spot fines that the police levy on motorists found using mobile phones range from just ` 1000 to 2000. When contacted, the state transport authorities said they had prepared a proposal to increase spot fines for such instances to counter the growing menace. Driving while talking on mobile phone is as dangerous as drunken driving said J. Krishnamoorthy, retired joint director of Institute of Road Transport.

Vandalur zoo to get open bird park

Very soon, visitors Arignanar Anna Zoological park in Vandalur will get to sea terrestrial birds feeding and playing in an open park. Visitors could enjoy the sight of migratory birds, housed in a walk-in aviary. The new, open park will attract nearly 30 species of free-ranging terrestrial birds-relevented bulbul, red whiskered bulbul, babblers, coppersmith berbet, gray francolin, wood strike, Indian Robin and hoopoe, to name a few, he said.

Indian weightlifters get 102 medals

The overall medal tally of Indian weightlifters reach 102, including 53 Gold, on the penultimate day of the Commonwealth Youth, Junior and Senior Championship in Penang, Malaysia.

Tensions escalate in East China Sea

Tensions escalate in East China Sea, after China scrambles its fighter jets, to monitor the US and Japanese planes, in its new defence zone.

New service promises quick money transfers

A mobile money transfer service, launched by the department of posts, promises to reduce the time taken to transfer money orders within the country. Now, people can send and receive money in a matter of a few minutes, thanks to the new ‘Mobile Money Transfer Service’ scheme available at 207 post offices in the city and suburbs. As part of the mobile-based service, post offices are already offering electronically-transmitted money orders and instant money orders.

Soon, street plays for awareness on seat belts

The city traffic police will try a novel method to create awareness about the benefits of wearing seat belts – a flash street play. The play, which will be a mine, will be conducted by an organisation. Thozhan Iyakkam, at Madley Road junction in T.Nagar, which witnesses heavy traffic on weekdays. The troupe with consist of four teams of three members each. From next week onwards, the traffic police intend to strictly enforce the seat belt rule, and have formed 50 special teams for implementation. The five for a first time offence will be 100 and will increase to 300 if the offence is committed again.

Chennai to get roads under PPP based on Kerala model

The State govt. is planning to develop urban roads in the Chennai Metropolitan Area under Public Private Partnership based on the model adopted in Kerala. Following the first meeting on PPP for urban roads held by the state govt. on Nov. 27, the Chennai Corporation has decided to study the feasibility of using the model to design, construct and maintain urban roads in newly added areas. The civic body has decided to complete 18,000 roads by May 2014. New roads to tackle traffic congestion may also be developed based on the model.

Nepali Congress emerges winner in assembly polls

Nepali congress emerges winner in Nepal’s constitutent assembly polls; however, the outcome is unlikely to end political uncertainty in the country as no party gets majority in 601-member assembly.

Military aircrafts in troubled area

Japan and South Korea also defy China defence zone ADIZ after the US, by flying military aircrafts in the troubled area.

Sachin Tendulkar is appointed as UNICEF’s ambassador

Sachin Tedulkar appointed UNICEF’s ambassador of South Asia, to promote sanitisation in the region.

Mint grade separator M.C. Road subway ready for use

Train key infrastructure projects in the northern neighbourhood will see the light of day as the 19.2 crore grade seperator at Mint junction and the 15.75 crore vehicular subway on Monegar Choultry (MC) Road in Old Washermenpet are ready for use. On Nov. 26, for the first time, vehicle including Metropolitan Transport Corporation buses were allowed beneath the new grade seprator on a pilot basis. The four-lane grade separator is 550 mts. long and 15 mts. wide and will connect Old Jail Road and Basin Bridge Road at Mint junction in Old Washermenpet. The junction connects important areas including Royapuram, Kodungaiyur, Pulianthope and Washermenpet.

Neglected water bodies set to be revived

Several water bodies on the city’s fringes that are in dire need of attention are set to be revived. The Water Resources Department has come up with a plan to salvage 21 lakes in Tiruvallur and Kancheepuram districts, by restoring irrigation potential and recharging the groundwater table in their neighbourhoods. The department is currently awaiting the state govt’s approval for the project, which will be carried out as the third phase of the Restoration of Traditional Water Bodies Scheme.

Police to develop tenant directory

In a first, the Chennai Police will develop a database of tenants in the city. The elaborate exercise of collecting details of tenants from landlords is set to commence in a couple of days. Commissioner of Police S. George said the initiative comes in the wake of recent incidents that had necessiated knowledge of tenants’ identities “we are trying to emulate the model of the Delhi Police. The landlord has to update the details of tenants at the local police station. The database will be computerised and made accessible to senior police officer, it is more like a tenants’ directory”, he said.

Centre for free job training opened

ICICI Academy for Skills that offers vocational training programmes, free of cost, to youth from the economically – weaker sections, announced the launch of its centre in Chennai. Three courses-setting skills, office administration and web designing-for those who have completed.

Stanley Hospital launches hi-tech virtual classroom

Govt. Stanley Medical College plans to set up virtual classrooms for its students. Last week, the college’s first virtual classroom was opened for students of the ENT department. We have installed a ‘smart board’ in the auditorium of the ENT outpatient department. It comprises agiant touch screen connected to a computer. We can write on it like on a conventional blackboard using marker pen or use it as a touch screen, record lectures, view power point presentations and play videos. This is to enhance teaching in the department” said. T. Balasubramanian, head of department, ENT.

Chennai Metro stations to have baggage scanners

When Chennai Metro Rail stations become operational in the first quarter of 2014, passengers will be required to have their baggage scanned. This is only aimed at ensuring security of commuters, Chennai Metro Rail Ltd. Officials said. “We have called for tenders to procure and install X-ray baggage scanning machines. Most stations will have one machine; the bigger stations may have two. The scanners will be put up near the entry points of each stations” said official of CMRL. Each scanner will be manned by one security personnel.

Production of dry infant formula

A first-ever study identifies two compounds derived from garlic – diallyl sulfide and ajoene – that significantly reduce the contamination risk of Cronobacter sakazakii in the production of dry infant formula.

18th Film Festival

A film, Phoolwati Amma, by 9-year olds, Rani and Shweta, bags second prize for direction in the Little Directors category at the 18th Film Festival in Hyderabad.

New chief of Pakistan Army

Lt. Gen. Raheel Sharif is appointed as the new Chief of Pakistan Army.

TRAI releases the tariff structure and guidelines for mobile banking services

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) releases the tariff structure and guidelines for mobile banking services, with an aim to facilitate rural customers who do not have access to banks and financial services.

C.M. presents winner’s cheque to Carlsen

Norway’s Magnus Carlsen, the newly-crowned World Class Champion, received a cheque for 9.9 crore from the Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, during the prize distribution ceremony. The 22-year-old, who is ranked No. 1 in the world, a special trophy and an olive garland, sourced from the Nilgri mountain ranges. Viswanathan Anand received 6.03 crore a silver plaque and silver medal as runner-up.

Centre set up to boost Tamil Computing

In a bid to give an impetus to the development of Tamil software, the Tamil Virtual Academy in Kotturpuram is starting an incubation centre on its premises for entrepreneurs who have interesting ideas and are awaiting resources for implementation. The incubation centre, set up a cost of ` 45 lakh allotted by the govt. will be the first of its kind working exclusively for Tamil computing said. P.R. Nakeeran, director of the academy. It have 12 cubicles for individual projects and we hope to initially give preference to students.

Ripon buildings 100th birthday

Ripon Buildings, the seat of the 426 sq.km. of the Chennai Corporation, will turn 100 today. The heritage building was inaugurated on Nov. 26, 1913 by Viceroy and Governor General Charles Baron Hardinge of Penshurst. The structure is a fine example of the Indo-Saracenic style of architecture, with a combination of Gothic, Ionic and Corinthian styles. However several parts of the buidling had fallen into disrepair over the years, and in 2009, the Corporation began a strengthening and restoration project.

World’s oldest Buddhist shrine

Archeologists in Nepal say that they have discovered traces of a wooden structure dating from the sixth century B.C. which they believe is the world’s oldest Buddhist shrine.

Indian clinch the three-match series against WI

India, winning the third ODI against West Indies, with superb performance of Shikhar Dhawan’s 119 off 95 balls, clinch the three-match series 2-1. Dhawan is declared, the ‘Man of the Match’, while Virat Kohli is adjudged the ‘Man of the Series’.

Pakistan’s biggest nuclear power project

Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Mr. Nawaz Sharif lays foundation stone for a 2,200-MW nuclear plant, country’s biggest nuclear power project, which will be built with China’s help.

WHO assessment of polio eradication over

A high level team from the World Health Organisation (WHO) has completed its assessment of polio eradication in Tamil Nadu after evaluating the serveilance, immunisation and reporting system in place across the state. This assessment was carried out randomly as a part of the nationwide exercise since India is gearing up to receive polio-free certification from the WHO in Jan. 2014.

Widows to do conservancy work for Contonment Board

There is a common thread running through the lives of 20 women, recruited recently as conservancy staff by St. Thomas Mount-cum-Pallavaram. Cantonment Board, the civc body of the ministry of defence in Chennai’s immediate southern suburb. They are all widows and some of them lost their husbands to alcoholism. None of them have studied beyond class VIII and they all have hurge loans to repay. But now with help from a private institution, they have hopes of a regular income, having enrolled in primary garbage collection from households as well as street beautification by the cantonment board.

Indian students interested in cutting-edge technology

A fifth of the MoUs signed by all Australian Universities with Indian educational institutions and with engineering colleges in Tamil Nadu, Michael Carter, trade commissioner, Australian Consultate General said. Mr. Carter was interacting with students from 19 schools across Chennai and Puducherry, telling them about higher education and research opportunities in Australia. The highest number of foreign sutdents in Australia came from India, after China, he said, adding that there were over 4 lakh foreign students in 39 universities in the country. He said Indian students were specifically interested in pursuing courses in cutting-edge technologies and research areas.

Awareness programme

An awareness programme on medicinal plants for teachers and students belonging to the National Green Corps (NGC) was conducted last week. The participating teachers were given environmental study materials and 20 saplings each to grow in their schools. Teachers attended the workshop, which was organised by the Chennai East Educational Directrict and the department of environment, govt. of Tamil Nadu at Vallal Ettiyappa Naicker Higher Secondary School in Royapuram. Close to 15 medicinal plants including lemongross and Siriyanangai were displayed, and their medicinal uses explained.

Campaign for Rule 49-O picks up at Yercaud

With the option for ‘None of the Above’ (NOTA) becoming available on electronic voting machines for the first time in Tamil Nadu and the campaign for Rule 49-O Picking up momentum in Yercaud which is going to by-poll on December 4, there is considerable curiosity in political circles over whether Yercaud will overtake Pudukkotai, which as an Assembly segement, holds the record of the maximum of 49(O) voters.

Operation Oliver is launched at Odisha

Operation Oliver is launched by Coast Guard to ensure safe breeding of Olive Ridley sea turtles in Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary area of Odisha.

Commonwealth weightlifting

In the ongoing Commonwealth weight-lifting championship at Penang, Malaysia, Deepak Lather bags one Gold and two Silver medals in the 50 kg youth boys’ section.

Thailand’s PM declares emergency in Bangkok

Thailand’s PM Ms. Yingluck Shinawatra declares emergency in Bangkok after anti-government protests hit the road.

First ever worldwide reforms fails

The marathon talks on the World Trade Organisation’s first-ever worldwide trade reforms in Geneva fails.

The day to resolve Syrian crisis

The United Nations announces January 22 as the date of international conference (Geneva-2) to resolve the Syrian crisis.

Punjab’s largest thermal power plant

The first unit of Punjab’s largest thermal power plant, Talwandi Sabo Plant Limited, having a capacity to generate 1980 MW electricity, is inaugurated.

World’s first green helicopter

The world’s first green helicopter, which is noiseless and emission-free, is successfully tested in Germany.

Vettel wins the Brazilian Grand prix

Sebastian Vettel wins the Brazilian Grand Prix, his ninth victory in a row, and 13th of the Formula One season.

Climate talks end

The Climate talks in Warsaw end on a positive note, with negotiators agreeing to step towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation.

Geneva Peace talks on nuclear deal

Geneva Peace talks between Iran and six Global powers result in a landmark nuclear deal between Iran and West. Consequently, sanctions against Iran are lifted partially.

India as the most attractive investment destination

In a report the global consultancy firm, Ernst & Young, lists India as the most attractive investment destination, ahead of China and the US.

PIL petition seeks guards below 45 years at ATMs

The Madras High Court Bench ordered notice to the Union Finance Ministry, the Chief Secretary of Tamil Nadu Principal Secretary of the Home department and the Director-General of Police on a public interest litigation seeking deployment of security guards, below 45 years, to guard ATM centres.

New GM of ICF takes over

Asok K. Agarwal assumed charge as General Manager of the ICF. Belonging to the 1977 batch of Indian Railway Service of Mechanical Engineers Mr. Agarwal was previously the Chief Administration Officer, Indian Railways Organisation for Alternate Fuels, New Delhi.

Passport seva kendra limit walk ins

The wak-in facility will be withdrawn at Tambaram Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) from Dec. 1. However, for senior citizens and persons will continue to be available at the Saligramam PSK. Nearly a dozen categories of services are allowed under the walk-in facility at the two Kendras, including issuance of police clearance certificate, emigration check not required, inclusion of spouse name, change of address, and maiden name to married. Now for all services falling under these categories, residents have to get an appointment online and submit their applications.

Special uniforms, bikes to put sector policing on map

Sector policing in the city will get visible soon as the personnel involved will be in special uniforms and patrol on differently coloured bikes in the coming weeks. Sector policing teams, different from the regular patrol teams, were introduced a year ago by the city police. The personnel involved in the duty, however done the regular Khaki uniforms at present. In order to make them stand apart and make it easier for residents to identify them, the personnel will be provided with fluorescent jackets, similar to those worn by the traffic police.

G.H. to set up sale counter for insulin

Rajiv Gandhi Govt. General Hospital will insulin and immunosuppreasant drugs at prices well below the market rate. Type 2 diabetics may purchase insulin vials at this counter. “As now, the government is providing free insulin vials for Type I diabetics. At GH alone, more than 400 type I diabetics have been registered. This counter is aimed at providing insulin to non-insulin dependent diabetics, that is type II diabetics, who will require temporary shots to control their sugar levels. All four types of human insulin will be sold here”.

Musicians honoured at school fest.

“I never thought I would be an Indian ambassador. As I look back, I realise I am where I am because of my Indian origin”, said British deputy high commissioner Bharat Joshi. He said his strength, energy and commitment come from the Indian culture. In the event, musicians Thiruvarur Bakthavathsalam and Ranjani and Gayathri were presented the P. Obul Reddy and P. Gnanambal memorial award.

T. Nagar post office to get 1st Postal ATM

Automated teller machines (ATMs) and debit cards will no longer be restricted to banks. The state’s first ATM for postal savings account holders will be set up at T. Nagar head post office by next month. This pilot initiative is part of the postal departments project to  network post offices with core banking facility on the lines of banks.

Aravindh Chithambaram wins the Chennai Open International Grandmaster tournament

Fourteen-year-old Aravindh Chithambaram wins the Chennai Open International Grandmaster tournament.

Manna Patel’s new National record

Manna Patel of Gujarat sets a new National record in 50m backstroke at the 67th aquatic championship in Thiruvananthapuram.

Turkish PM criticised Egypt

In further soaring of relations, Egypt expels the Turkish ambassador, in reaction to remarks by Turkish PM, in which he criticised Egypt for the coup.

China’s International Air space – Japan claimed

China sets up an air defence zone, covering the international airspace over parts of the disputed East China Sea, including chain of island Senkaku, which are also claimed by Japan.

First time settles over 35 lakh pending cases in one day

In a historic move, Judiciary for the first time settles over 35 lakh pending cases in one day, in the National lok Adalat held in the Supreme Court, all High Courts, and district and taluk courts across the country.

India successfully test-fires missile Dhanush

India successfully test-fires the surface-to-surface ballistic missile, Dhanush, a naval variant of the Prithvi missile, capable of carrying conventional as well as nuclear weapons of 500 kg. 1,000 kg.

New COM for Southern Railway

S. Anantharaman has taken over charge as Chief Operations Manager, Southern Railway. An IRTS officer of the 1982 batch, Mr. Anantharaman has held the posts of Chief Safety Officer, Southern Railway Divisional Railway Manager / Chennai Division of S.R. and Chief Safety Officer/Hajipur, East Central Railway.

Corporation to tackle dusty roads

The Chennai Corporation will develop an action plan for reducing dust on roads. It is planning to find ways to cope with air pollution caused by road acts, ongoing Metro Rail work, inadequate sweeping of roads, garbage, and construction debris. This is in accordance with a direction from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to the Civic Body and other agencies, such as Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority, traffic police, Chennai Metrowater and the transport department, to take steps to control air pollution in the city.

India is at 56th position in Internet freedom

India is at 56th position in Internet freedom, a study conducted by World Wide Web Foundation declares.

High energy neutrinos

Researchers of the IceCube collaboration detect very high-energy neutrinos from extraterrestrial sources, according to a paper published in Science.

Carlsen wins chess champion

Norway’s Magnus Carlsen draws the 10th game to win the 12-game match, 6.5-3.5 in Chennai, dethroning five-time world chess champion, Viswanathan Anand of India, to claim the title of World No. 1.

China successfully tests its first air-vehicle

China successfully tests its first stealth drone, joining the elite group of four – the US, Russia, European Union and Britain – to develop the unmanned combat air vehicle.

Cyclone Helen – hit A.P.

Cyclone Helen, second major storm to hit Andhra in four weeks, makes landfall near Machilipatnam in coastal Andhra Pradesh, around  2 p.m. About 20,000 people were evacuated earlier, which prevented a major casualty.

Gayathri music varsity V.C

E. Gayatri, Veena maestro, has been appointed the first Vice Chancellor of the Tamil Nadu Music and Fine Arts University. She will hold the office for three years, according to a govt. order issued last week.

New admission policy approved

The Academic council of Sastra University has approved the new admission policy of the University for admission to B.Tech. and five-year integrated programmes from the academic year 2014-15. As per the policy 70 per cent of the students will be admitted based on performance in Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) (main) – 2014 and plus two examinations conducted by various boards across the country.

Duronto to run as Shatabdi trains

The non-stop AC Duranto train from Chennai to Coimbatore will run as a Shatabdi Express and the Duranto service to Thiruvananthapuram will be operated as an AC Superfast Express with Rajdhani fares from Nov. 22. Train No. 12243/12244 Chennai Central-Coimbatore – Chennai Central Duranto Express trains will have commercial stoppages at Salem, Erode and Tiruppur.

New scanner installed at Egmore station

The movement of control and at the Egmore Railway Station will now better monitored, thanks to the installation of a new scanner. The scanner which has already been installed at the entry point at the northern end of the station, can scan large pieces of luggage. It will be used only for scanning passenger luggage, according to railway sources. A small scanner is already functioning near the station Manager’s office, the entry for all VIPS. However this scanner cannot handle big pieces of luggage or parcels. The new system would become operational within a week.

Anna varsity warns against retaining staff certificates

Teachers in all 557 engineering colleges under Anna University have a reason to cheer the university has warned all affiliated institutes of strict action if they hold back the certificates or salaries of teachers. The action, said university registrar S. Ganeshan, was instituted after they received many complaints from teachers in private institutions that their college managements had confiscated their certifcates and did not return them when they wished to resign. In recent circular, the university instructed principals to provide the proper relieving orders and service certificates whenever faculty members resign from their post.

Waste treatment plant to power streetlights soon

A Chennai Corporation bio-methanation plant, the first to set up by the civic body, is expected to be completed by December. The ` 45 lakh plant is coming up at the Pulianthope garbage transfer station. The technology is from the Baba Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai J. Daniel Chellappa, senior scientists, technical coordination wing, BARC, Chennai, explained that the plant can process to tonnes of garbage per-day. The energy released by it, equivalent to four gas cylinders, can power about go to 100 LED streetlights for eight hours. About 100 to 120 kg. of natural manure will also be generated as a by-product. Food-waste, kitchen waste including vegetable peels, abattoir waste, flower and fruit waste and agro waste can be digested by this plant.

Civic body likely to take over banners

Following the proposal sent by the Chennai Collectorate to transfer powers of permitting banners to Chennai Corporation, the civic body will send a proposal to amend the Chennai City Municipal Corporation Act shortly. If the state govt. approves this proposal, residents may not have to get permission from the Chennai collectorate for erecting such banners. The Corporation Commissioner will have powers to permit banners under the amended Act. “Earlier,  the power was with coporation commissioner. The Act was amended 10 years ago to transfer powers to collector. Now, the state govt. has to take a decisions said an official of Chennai Corporation.

From dictionaries to audio CDs

The Little Flower Company (Lifco), famous for its low priced dictionaries and spiritual books, released 30 audio CDs, including those on Sri Lalitha Sahasranamam, Desika Stothram, Sri Vishnu Sahasranamam. N. Murali, president of The Music Academy, said Lifco was a household name in the state. He wondered how the group managed without ever taking a loan in the 85 years of its existence and still continued to publish books at an affordable cost. The name had grown into an institution like a banyan and benefited hundreds and thousands of people. He said Lifco founder V. Krishnaswami Sarma was a visionary.

New High Court Museum

Nine months after work began on the new museum on the Madras High Court premises, about 70 per cent of the construction work is complete. Officials of PWD will now set in motion interior works including, glazed-lited flooring and airconditioning. Besides this, work on setting up display cases and arranging illumination of the entire museum complex will also be taken up. Experts from the school of Architecture and Planning Anna University, have been roped in to provide designs. So far, we have completed the basic civil work. We are expecting to complete the entire project, including an auditorium in the same complex, by early next year”, said a PWD official.

UN warns of rising level of nitrous oxide

UN warns of rising level of nitrous oxide which could nearly double by mid-century.

RH 200 takes off from Thumba

Rohini (RH) 200 takes off from Thumba to commemorate golden jubilee of the Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station (TERLS).

Sangeet Natak Akademi fellowship and Awards 2013

The Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowships and Awards 2013 are given to 38 eminent Artists and Scholars, plus three Ratnas.

Kohli equals fastest 5000 run record

Virat Kohli equals fastest 5000-run record by West Indies’s Vivian Richards in the first ODI against West Indies, in which India won by six wickets, taking a lead of 1-0 in the three-match series.

Defeat of Maoist chief

Reacting to the defeat of UCPN (Maoist) chief Mr. Prachanda in the second Constituent Assembly elections, Maoists reject the results.

Nisha Desai appointed as an Asst. Secy. of USA

Ms. Nisha Desai becomes the first Person of Indian Origin, to be appointed as an Assistant Secretary of State in the US, for South-Central Asia.

Automatic exchange of information

Liechtenstein becomes 62nd signatory to a worldwide convention formulated by OECD, for automatic exchange of information and mutual assistance in tax matters with the member countries, including India.

Union Govt. fresh talks with Naga insurgent group

Fresh talks begin between the Union Govt. and leaders of the largest Naga insurgent group, hoping to settle a decades-old conflict.

238 policemen given cash award

Two hundred and thirty eight police personnel, who were responsible for the arrest of ‘police’ Fakruddin, Bilal Malik and Panna Ismail suspects in the murder cases of S. Vellaiyappan, State Secretary of the Hindu Munnani and ‘Auditor’ V. Ramesh, State Secretary of BJP, were given monetary reward by Chief Minister appreciated their work and presented cheques totalling ` 2.53 crore.

Last opportunity to Jayalalithaa to file response

The Supreme Court granted last opportunity to Chief Minister Jayalalithaa to file her response to a special leave petition filed by the CBI chalanging a Madras High Court judgement setting aside the ‘three lakh US dollars case’ against her on the ground of inordinate and unexplained delay in the investigation and trial stage.

World Toilet Day, a push for basic sanitation

In a bid to create awarness on sanitation and eradicate open defecation, several awareness compains were organised in the city on 19th (Tuesday), the World Toilet Day. The programmes reinforced the state govt’s thrust to eradicate open defecation.

C.M. to open Amma canteen at GH

The Chennai Corporation will commence operations of an Amma Canteen on the premises of Rajiv Gandhi Govt. General Hospital. Chief Minister Jayalalithaa will inaugurate the facility at a function at the Secretariate. The civic body plans to sell 10,000 idlis, 2000 plates of sambar rice, 1500 of curd rice and 2000 of pongal to persons visiting the hospital everyday. The hospital receives more than 10,000 visitors per day.

Now, schools impart lessons in Kitchen gardening

In an attempt to reconnect urban students with their food select city schools, including a school run by Chennai Corporation are encouraging their children to grow vegetables and medicinal herbs in small patches of gardens created on their premises. “Observing the growth of plants-teaches students patience and prepares them to tace challenges. The bulk of lady’s finger, brinjal and a variety  of greens and gourds that they are growing will go to the home for destitute the orphaned girls run by the Brotherhood Education Trust.

50-year-old-problem in hearing technology

Hearing scientists make a potential break through in solving a 50-year-old problem in hearing technology; how to help the hearing-impaired understand speech in the midst of background noise.

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