SP Balasubrahmanyam upset with PM Modi 

DECCAN CHRONICLE.

Published Nov 4, 2019, 5:32 am IST

At the meeting, everyone's phones were taken away and they were given tokens for the same. 


SPB was sore that only the Bollywood stars were allowed to take selfies with PM Narendra Modi. His FB post is going viral.

Chennai: Renowned playback Singer SP Balasubrahmanyam is very upset with the treatment meted out to him at a Prime Minister’s meeting that he attended. SPB took to Facebook to claim that he was bewildered at a double standard in treatment and the partiality shown towards certain stars from Bollywood.

At the meeting, everyone's phones were taken away and they were given tokens for the same. But SPB was sore that only the Bollywood stars were allowed to take selfies with PM Narendra Modi. His FB post is going viral.

SPB's post reads, “I am grateful to Ramoji Raoji, (Eenadu), because of whom I was able to attend a reception hosted by our Hon. Prime Minister at his home on the 29th of Oct. Upon entering the premises, we were asked to leave our cellphones with the security personnel and were given tokens for the same. But I was bewildered at the STARS taking selfies with the PM on that day. THINGS THAT MAKE YOU GO HMMM???? (sic)”

This TN man has one goal — to provide shelter to at least one homeless person every day 
 
Every morning D Arul Raj wakes up with one goal — to rescue at least one homeless person and put a roof over his/her head.
 
Published: 31st October 2019 06:46 AM 


 
D Arul Raj founded the trust in 2017 and has rescued more than 320 homeless people till date. (Photo | Debadatta Mallick, EPS)

By KV Navya

Express News Service

CHENNAI: Every morning D Arul Raj wakes up with one goal — to rescue at least one homeless person and put a roof over his/her head. He drives his autorickshaw, picking up savaaris for four hours each in the morning and evening, and the rest of the day he goes around the city to look out for homeless people who need help. Arul founded the Karunai Ullangal Trust two years ago to help abandoned people. So far, he has rescued more than 320 people.

On Tuesday, when we were waiting to talk to Arul, he gets a call telling there is someone in Perambur who needs his help. The 34-year-old autorickshaw driver doesn’t think twice before getting into his vehicle, asking us to hop on and zooming past the city.

How it all began

“I have a wife and two children. Till 2015, I had no intention of doing social service. During the floods that year, my wife received an emergency call from one of her friends at Saidapet. He told her that they were starving and were unable to get out of the locality due to stagnation. I brought food to their place only to realise there were hundreds who needed help,” he says.

Using a pushcart, Arul ferried people out of the area. That’s when he first felt the need to help a fellow human being. “It was the amount of trust they had on me that shook me. I then joined a Facebook page and a WhatsApp group called Makkal Ku Udhavalam, created especially to help people during floods. Requests for help kept pouring in and I did what I could,” he says.

Arul was then working in the collection department of a private bank. He would go from house to house to collect bank dues. However, when the office management realised he was busy with social service for the most part of the day, they fired him in 2016. Arul was jobless for six months. “We worked for six months after the floods on cleaning and providing relief materials. After six months, when the admin of Makkal Ku Udhavalam decided to delete the page, I decided to manage it and changed the name to Karunai Ullangal. Simultaneously, that was when I lost my job,” he says.

Goal-oriented

From helping cancer patients to poor children getting scholarships, Arul did everything he could. One day, towards the end of 2016, a woman on the roadside in Saidapet asked him if he could help her join a shelter home.

“I did not even know what a shelter home was until then. Earlier too, during floods, a woman had asked me the same, but I could not help her. But this request made me take the step to rescue the homeless and this changed my life forever,” says Arul. In January 2017, he received a call saying an injured homeless man was lying by the roadside and that he might die if they don’t help him soon. “This time, I took help from different NGOs and enrolled him in a private shelter home at Porur at 1.30 am. When that sense of satisfaction kicked in, I decided this is what Karunai Ullangal Trust will do from then on — rescue homeless and enrol them in a home.”

Daily routine

For each rescue, the fuel costs alone comes up to Rs 500. When Arul did not have a job, his friends and volunteers stepped up. “Each month, we were doing about 10 rescues and I did not want to depend on them forever. So, I bought an autorickshaw in 2017. A dear friend of mine gave me Rs 90,000 and the rest of the amount, I am paying through installments every month,” says Arul.

From then till now, Arul’s daily schedule has been the same. Ride the autorickshaw from 6 am to 10 am, carry out rescues from 10 am to 6 pm and again ride the autorickshaw from 6 pm to 10 pm before he heads home to spend time with his family. Of the people they have rescued, 120 have been reunited with their family, while others are in different shelter homes across the city. Now, Arul funds most of the rescues himself.

Alarming stories

While carrying out the rescues, Arul says he found some incidents alarming. “One day in 2018, I saw a distressed man on the roadside in Tambaram with a shabby long beard, torn clothes and his face covered in a thick layer of dirt. Talking to him, I found out that he was a film director who took to the roads after his wife divorced him and kids did not support him,” says Arul.

It is often common issues that lead to situations like this, he says. “Next time you find a distressed person, talk to them. Most of them have homes, but they don’t go because there are no loving people inside that house,” says Arul, as he swipes through the pictures of rescued people on his phone. Learning first-aid Pointing to a huge first aid box attached to his seat, Arul says that he is also trained in first-aid. Often, when they head out for a rescue, the notice that the victim’s legs and hands are infested by maggots due to living in unhygienic conditions and with diabetes. The 34-year-old learned first-aid, so he could clean their wounds before taking them to shelter homes.

As he shares his story, we reach the place of rescue. Outside Perambur loco station, we see an old man lying in his own feces, and his feet were half eaten by worms and maggots. Arul gets down and quickly takes the mask, gloves and other necessary equipment out of the first-aid box and runs to the man. He talks softly to him, consoles him as he cleans the wounds. Within an hour, he convinces him to go to a home, and four hours later, he was admitted. Arul looks at us and says, “This is the best part of my day.”

‘App’solutely helpful

Arul also introduced the Karunai Ullangal Trust mobile application on Google PlayStore in September. The app lets the public upload pictures of the abandoned people and assigns volunteers for the rescue. 

It also has a database of all the rescued people so that you can help them find their family if you know someone. If you want to report/help a homeless person on the roadside, contact 9841776685

Biryani magic! Hyderabad declared 'creative' city in gastronomy category by UNESCO

Hyderabad is one of the two cities from India, among the total 66 smart cities selected by the UNESCO across the globe.
 
Published: 31st October 2019 03:09 PM  

By Express News Service

HYDERABAD: The city of Hyderabad has been adjudged as 'Creative City' in gastronomy category by the UNESCO on the occasion of World Cities Day on Thursday.

Hyderabad is one of the two cities from India, among the total 66 smart cities selected by the UNESCO across the globe. The other city from India, Mumbai has been selected as a smart city in the film category.

Municipal administration and industries minister KT Rama Rao expressed happiness over Hyderabad's ranking. "It is a great effort by principal secretary municipal administration Arvind Kumar and his  team," Rama Rao said.

It may be mentioned here that Hyderabad has a number of starred restaurants and known for the delicious "Hyderabad Biryani". The city of pearls is also famous for its rich food culture and heritage.

Tamil Nadu man arrested for illegally printing govt documents

The police seized as many as 25 voter IDs, eight Aadhaar cards and nearly 300 empty PVC cards from Bharid.

Published: 03rd November 2019 07:36 PM

By Express News Service

CUDDALORE: Officials of the district crime branch on Saturday arrested a 46-year-old man for illegally printing documents such as voter ID, Aadhaar and ration cards.

According to official sources, Jagadeeshwaran recently submitted a complaint to Superintendent of Police (SP) M Sree Abhinav, Revenue Divisional Officer P Jagadeeshwaran and Electoral Registration. Based on the complaint, Cuddalore Deputy Superintendent of Police (Crime Branch) Sundaram and inspector Tharageshwari took the accused -- A Sheik Bharid (46) -- under custody for inquiry.

Bharid, who runs a computer centre at Pudupettai village near Panruti, was found to have illegally printed various government documents and forged the signature of Electoral Registration Officer for printing voter IDs.

The police seized as many as 25 voter IDs, eight Aadhaar cards and nearly 300 empty PVC cards from Bharid. More documents and a hard disk were also seized.

Police have registered a case and are investigating to find out the exact number of documents printed by the accused.

Dharmapuri Medical College Hospital quenches thirst of visitors with just five taps

DMCH has over 23 departments and 15 wards and over 3,000 out-patients avail of treatment here every day.

Published: 04th November 2019 11:01 AM

There were chances for spreading of water-borne diseases if case any damage or leakage from the machine.

By Express News Service

DHARMAPURI: Eleven years on, Dharmapuri Medical College Hospital (DMCH) has been quenching the thirst of its visitors with water from five-odd taps, in working condition, attached to a purified drinking water supply station constructed near its entrance.

This has been a cause of concern for both the patients and their relatives, who come to this health facility even from neighbouring districts for quality treatment. However, DMCH dean claimed that all patients are being supplied with water and a plan has been recently proposed by the collector to set up water vending machines in every ward.

DMCH has over 23 departments and 15 wards and over 3,000 out-patients avail of treatment here every day. Urging the hospital administration to set up more drinking water stations, Tamilarasi (35), whose sister is admitted to DMCH for delivery, said that shuttling from the pregnancy ward to the entrance for water has been very tiring.

"The hospital has been established on a vast campus. As only a couple of relatives are allowed to accompany a patient, it gets very difficult to leave them alone for a long time in the ward. Besides, we have to make a beeline to get our turn to fetch water as the water station is mostly crowded," she said.

The plight of patients in the fever wards is no different, said Panchampalli resident Krishnan, whose child is receiving treatment for fever at DMCH. "Over 217 patients are currently availing of treatment for fever in this hospital. However, no ward has a drinking water facility, which is very essential. When we ask the nurses, they either give a careless response or get enraged on the request. Hence, setting up more water vending machines is the way out of this issue," he said.

Speaking to TNIE, DMCH dean said that patients are given clean drinking water in all wards and it is only their kin who have to use the water station. "Recently, the collector has proposed a plan to set up water vending machines in each ward. The water station is directly connected to the Hogenakkal drinking water pipelines. Hence, there is no shortage of water as of now and quality is ensured as it is treated in the RO unit," he said.

Explaining the issues that come up with fixing water filtration machines in every ward, he said that there were chances for spreading of water-borne diseases if case any damage or leakage from the machine.

While Collector Malarvizhi was unavailable for comments, senior officials in the district administration confirmed that they are planning to soon set up more filtration units in the hospital.

திருவண்ணாமலை-சென்னை இடையே குளிா்சாதன பேருந்துகள் இயக்கம்: அமைச்சா் தொடக்கிவைத்தாா்

By DIN | Published on : 04th November 2019 07:15 AM



குளிா்சாதன வசதி கொண்டு புதிய அரசுப் பேருந்தை கொடியசைத்து தொடக்கிவைக்கிறாா் அமைச்சா் சேவூா் எஸ்.ராமச்சந்திரன்.

திருவண்ணாமலையில் இருந்து சென்னைக்குச் செல்லும் குளிா் சாதன வசதி கொண்ட 2 அரசுப் பேருந்துகளை அமைச்சா் சேவூா் எஸ்.ராமச்சந்திரன் ஞாயிற்றுக்கிழமை இயக்கி வைத்தாா்.

தமிழ்நாடு அரசுப் போக்குவரத்துக் கழக திருவண்ணாமலை மண்டலம் மூலம் திருவண்ணாமலை-சென்னை இடையே 2 புதிய குளிா்சாதனப் பேருந்துகள் இயக்கப்படுகின்றன. இதன் தொடக்க விழா ஞாயிற்றுக்கிழமை திருவண்ணாமலை மத்திய பேருந்து நிலையத்தில் நடைபெற்றது.

தமிழக இந்து சமய அறநிலையத் துறை அமைச்சா் சேவூா் எஸ்.ராமச்சந்திரன் சிறப்பு அழைப்பாளராகக் கலந்து கொண்டு புதிய அரசுப் பேருந்துகளை இயக்கிவைத்தாா். விழாவில், மாவட்ட ஆட்சியா் கே.எஸ்.கந்தசாமி, திருவண்ணாமலை மாவட்ட பால் உற்பத்தியாளா்கள் கூட்டுறவு ஒன்றியத் தலைவா் அக்ரி எஸ்.எஸ்.கிருஷ்ணமூா்த்தி, முன்னாள் அமைச்சா் எஸ்.ராமச்சந்திரன், செய்யாறு எம்எல்ஏ தூசி கே.மோகன், அரசுப் போக்குவரத்துக் கழக மண்டல பொது மேலாளா் சு.வெங்கடேசன் உள்பட பலா் கலந்து கொண்டனா்.

சென்னைக்கு கட்டணம் ரூ.215:

திருவண்ணாமலையில் இருந்து செஞ்சி, மேல்மருவத்தூா் வழியாகச் சென்னைக்கு இயக்கப்படும் இந்தப் பேருந்தில் கட்டணமாக ரூ.215 வசூலிக்கப்படும். திருவண்ணாமலையில் இருந்து தினமும் காலை 6, 7, மாலை 5, 6 ஆகிய நேரங்களில் புறப்பட்டு சென்னைக்குச் செல்லும்.

சென்னை கோயம்பேட்டில் இருந்து தினமும் காலை 11, மதியம் 12, இரவு 10, 11 ஆகிய நேரங்களில் புறப்படும் பேருந்துகள், திண்டிவனம், கீழ்பென்னாத்தூா் வழியாக திருவண்ணாமலைக்கு வந்தடையும்.

முதுநிலை பட்டப்படிப்புக்கு நுழைவு தேர்வு அறிவிப்பு

Added : நவ 04, 2019 00:16


சென்னை : முதுநிலை பட்டப் படிப்புக்கான, இரண்டு நுழைவு தேர்வுகளுக்கு, 'ஆன்லைன்' விண்ணப்ப பதிவு துவங்கியுள்ளது.

பட்டப் படிப்பு படிக்கும் மாணவர்கள், உயர் கல்வியில் சேர்வதற்கு, பல்வேறு வகை நுழைவு தேர்வுகளில், தேர்ச்சி பெற வேண்டும். குறிப்பாக, நிர்வாக படிப்பு தொடர்பான, எம்.பி.ஏ., படிக்க, 'சிமேட்' என்ற நுழைவு தேர்வில் தேர்ச்சி பெற வேண்டும். வரும் கல்வி ஆண்டில் மாணவர் சேர்க்கைக்கான, சிமேட் நுழைவு தேர்வு, ஜன., 28ல் நடக்க உள்ளது. அதேபோல், பார்மஸி படிப்புக்கான உயர்கல்வி நுழைவு தேர்வும், ஜன., 28ல் நடத்தப்படும் என, தேசிய தேர்வு முகமை அறிவித்து உள்ளது. இதற்கான விண்ணப்ப பதிவு, கடந்த, 1ல் துவங்கி விட்டது; 30ம் தேதி வரை விண்ணப்பங்களை பதிவு செய்யலாம். மேலும், விபரங்களை, https://nta.ac.in என்ற இணையதளத்தில் தெரிந்து கொள்ளலாம்.