2 new TNEB branch offices established

The Tamil Nadu Electricity Board has formed two branch offices at Athikulam and Uranganpatti, which fall under the Madurai East Division. The two offices started functioning on Friday.

Uranganpatti office

The Uranganpatti office will cover Uranganpatti, Kunnathur, Kalimangalam, Sakkudi, Thachanenthal, Varichiyur, Sengottai (places which hitherto fell under Karuppayurani division) and Anjayur, Tirumanappathi, Melavadakkur, Keezhavadakkur, Angadi Mangalam (places which hitherto fell under Melamadai division office). All services, except payment of bills, will come under the jurisdiction of Assistant Engineer, Distribution, Uranganpatti. Electricity bills will be collected at the old offices for the next two months.

Athikulam office

The Athikulam office will cover Parusurampatti, Indian Bank Colony, Kurunji Nagar, Mahalakshmi Nagar, Athikulam, Angayarkanni Colony, Karpaga Vinayaka Temple, Tamil Nadu Slum Clearance Board houses, Narayanapuram, A Zone, B Zone, C Zone, D Zone (places which hitherto fell under Tiruppalai/Rural division) and Pattimedu, Suganthi Nagar, Pallavi Nagar, Kosakulam, Kalai Nagar extension (places which hitherto fell under C zone of Aanayur division) and K Zone, L Zone, M Zone and Viswanathapuram, Bharati Nagar, VOC Street, Maruthupandiyur Street, Moovendar Nagar (places which hitherto fell under N Zone).

Payment of electricity bills can be made at the old offices for two months and all other services will be covered by the office of the Assistant Engineer, Distribution, at 8-6-14 Vaigai Nathi 2nd Street, Mahatma Gandhi Nagar, Athikulam.The electricity connections in the following sections have been reallocated by the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board for administrative reasons: Sathyamoorthy Nagar, Maruthupandiyan Nagar, Bibikulam East and West, which hitherto came under the K.K. Nagar office, have been reallocated to Anaiyur office from Friday.Power connections in Karpaga Nagar, Ramavarma Nagar and Saw Mill, which hitherto came under K. Pudur office, have been reallocated to K.K. Nagar office from Friday.Service connections in Sathamangalam, Sivaganga Main Road and Muthaliar Road, which hitherto came under Anna Nagar office, have also been reallocated to K.K. Nagar office from Friday. Consumers residing in these areas should approach the new office for all electricity-related services, other than payment of bills.Payment of electricity bills in the old offices will continue for two months, according to a TNEB press release.

This youngster knows Tirukkural inside out

Madurai:The couplets of Tirukkural highlight the spirit that preaches positive love and forgiveness besides leading a humane life.It has a message for all – children, parents and kings.But what about the Tamil letters used? Scholars themselves would not have as extensively researched the usage of vowels and consonants in the work as M. Vadivelan has done, one might wonder.

A standard VIII student of Royal Vidyalaya Matriculation School, Madurai, Vadivelan knows that Tiruvalluvar has used 40,900 words (excluding headings) throughout the book. Of these, 3,074 letters are ‘uyir ezhuthukkal,’ 12,729 ‘mei ezhuthukkal’ and 25,047 ‘uyir-mei ezhuthukkal’ and the lone ‘ayutha ezhuthu’ in 50 places.“Tiruvalluvar has not used the letter ‘ow,’ but has used the ‘aa and iv’ combination,” Vadivelan says. Tirukkural has three 23-lettered couplets, ten 24-lettered couplets and so on. The list ends with one 39-lettered couplet, which also takes the pride of being the longest couplet of the work.

Vadivelan can also say how many times each letter appears in every chapter.What motivated him? His determination to be different and the help extended by his teachers. Since the standard III, he was searching for a platform to exhibit his unique talent. One day, Manimaran, Vadivelan’s father, asked if he had completed studying Tirukkural. To escape his father’s wrath, Vadivelan asked him if he knew anything about the number of letters used in Tirukkural.“That casual conversation gave me the idea to work on the Tirukkural project for about one and a half years,” Vadivelan says.

Vadivelan wrote 1,330 couplets on a 91-feet-long paper and presented it along with his research work to the former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam as Tamil New Year greetings. What is he doing now? Studying couplets and their meaning. “So far, I have completed 1,000 couplets,” he says. What does he want to become in life? “The Collector of Madurai.”

Madurai gets Rs 795 Crore !

The Madurai Corporation has got Union Government’s sanction for various works at an estimated cost of Rs. 795 crore under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission.
“It is only our Corporation that has got the sanction for 50 per cent of the estimated cost of City Development Project (CDP) under the Mission within a year,” the Corporation Superintending Engineer, K. Sakthivel, told reporters on Wednesday.

Stating that officials of Madurai Corporation were prompt in preparing the detailed project reports for various development works that helped in getting sanction from the Union Government at the earliest, he said, “Out of the Rs. 1,477 crore CDP we have got sanction for works worth Rs. 795 crore in a year.” Chennai and Coimbatore are the two other cities in the State to benefit from the Mission.

“Madurai will become a beautiful city in two years on completion of these works,” the Mayor, G. Thenmozhi, said.Among the sanctioned works are the on-going second drinking water pipeline from Vaigai dam to the city (Rs. 69 crore), solid waste management (Rs. 74.23 crore), construction of three check dams across the Vaigai river (Rs. 4.77 crore), improvement of living conditions in slum areas (Rs. 130 crore) and resettlement of slum-dwellers (Rs. 35 crores) (to be implemented by the Tamil Nadu Slum Clearance Board).

Besides renovating and lining 11 drainage channels running through the city, storm water drainage channels for 820 km would be constructed at a cost Rs. 251.39 crore. The Mayor, Deputy Mayor, P.M. Mannan, and the Corporation Commissioner, D.J. Dinakkaren, who participated in the Sanctioning and Monitoring Committee meeting held on July 20 in New Delhi got sanction for laying underground drainage for left over areas, renovating old UGD schemes and sewerage treatment plant at a cost of Rs. 231 crore.

Reliance network in Madurai is now under new technology

Madurai:Reliance Communications has brought its entire network in Madurai district under an IP-based next generation network solutions that has enabled faster and cost-effective network roll out.In a statement, its Chief Executive Officer (Tamil Nadu circle), Sureshkumar Ramiah, said that Huawei Switching System occupied less than 50 per cent of space occupied by a conventional mobile switching centre and hence lesser operational cost. Lower backhaul cost Besides, it ensured about 40 per cent lower backhaul cost than conventional systems, hence lesser capital and operational charge.

The pilot project of the new technology implemented in Madurai showed the way for fast deployment of high capacity network solutions.Reliance Communications has plans to continue with the network expansion on the new technology in the State in the next three months.Airtel has introduced a combo booster pack for its prepaid customers in Tamil Nadu that allows the users to make local calls within Airtel subscribers at 20 paise a minute.In a statement, Airtel said that the pack offered maximum savings to its customers, fitting into all budgets. 49 paise a minute

Any Airtel customer who opted for Rs. 69 booster pack can make local calls to any mobile at 49 paise a minute and long-distance call to any mobile in the country for Rs. 1.50 a minute.The subscribers will migrate to their original tariff plan if they do not recharge with the combo booster pack after 30 days.

In time for the discount season

Wooden dolls from Udaipur on display at the exhibition in Madurai on Friday.If the month of ‘Adi’ is here, can exhibitions be far behind? Expos vie with one another to drain the wallets of Maduraities, who never mind to spend on handicrafts and attractive designer materials.Now, the Craft Bazaar, an exhibition-cum-discount sale, has come to the city to cash in on the ‘month of discounts.’

There are 40 stalls selling handicrafts of varied kinds from all over the country. Craftsmen from Kashmir to Kanyakumari and from West Bengal to Rajasthan exhibit their wares and ensure that visitors buy authentic and ethnic pieces.The items on display are real stone (precious and semi precious) silver setting jewellery, Bandhini suits, chaniys choli, kotta saris, 100 gm rajai from Rajasthan, phulkari hand woven dress material, jutti from Punjab, colourful bangles from Jaipur, jackets and shawls from Kashmir, Udaipur wooden carvings, handloom bags from Panipath, designer fashion jewellery from Delhi, jute handicrafts and handbags from Kolkata, and Poochamapalli bed spreads.


The colour embroidered and chikkan worked churidars come in the price range of Rs. 200 to Rs.750. White and black coloured bottoms with handwork are available in the price range of Rs.150 to Rs 550 and tops, Rs.160 to Rs 280. Touch of opulence is evident in the vast treasure house of gems and bead ornaments on display. Ear studs made of stones such as jade, pearls, are available for Rs.40. The shining Kanpur leather sandals add grandeur to the show.As part of the expo, there is also a Kala Silk Festival-2007, featuring a wide range of party wear and wedding collections. It exhibits Kancheevaram, Banaras, printed silk, Kolkata ethnic and thread work saris, bandini and banadage shiffon, kantha work saris, super net Manipuri kota saris and Mangalgiri cotton saris. The saris are priced at Rs.99, Rs. 165, Rs.265, Rs.365, Rs.465, Rs.665 and above.The seven-day expo organised by Maharashtra Handloom Handicraft Development Centre is being held at Vijay Mahal, K.K. Nagar. It will remain open from 10 a.m. and 9 p.m. It offers 20 per cent discount on all purchases.

Campus recruitment

Madurai:A recruitment drive will be held on Thursday at NMSS Vellaichamy Nadar College by Chemplast Sanmar, a Chennai-based firm.Placements will be for the post of Accounts Trainee. 2007 pass-outs of M.Com. and M.Com. CA with no history of arrears could apply. Students from other colleges could also appear for the placement. Students should bring identity cards or identity proof, resume, two photographs, writing pad and attested photocopies of certificates. Eligible students can register themselves with the college’s placement cell in advance or on the day of the interview, which will be held at the college from 8.30 a.m.

Madurai Airport going International !!

The city has seen a sudden surge in air traffic, a whopping 82.3 percent growth, way ahead of all the other 11 airports in the four states of southern region from April 2006 to March 2007.While industry analysts attribute this to the emergence of Madurai as a favourite destination for IT investors after Bangalore and Chennai, the AAI is in the process of equipping the airport with facilities which will take it to the next level of development - an international airport.Currently, Madurai-bound international passengers continue to undergo the hardship of having to go via Tiruchy or Chennai.

Nevertheless, the AAI has kicked off a Rs 70-crore short-term augmentation project, which involves increasing the length of the runway to 9,000 feet, expansion of aprons to accommodate four aircraft and linking of the terminal building for baggage clearance. In addition, an integrated terminal building will be constructed, said K Ramalingam, regional executive director, Southern Region, AAI.This will enable the authority to equip the airport to meet further increase in passenger and aircraft traffic necessiated by IT investments.

The AAI had also asked for 500 acres from the State Government to extend the runway as the already available space was used to the maximum, he added.As the airport caters to the needs of residents of Ramanathapuram, Sivaganga, Theni, Virudhunagar, Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi districts, there have been demands to start international services, especially to Gulf countries and South East Asia.

Rake maintenance line inaugurated !

The Southern Railway General Manager, Thomas Varghese, inaugurated an integrated rake maintenance line on the railway station premises here on Tuesday.According to railway sources, the integrated rake maintenance line would be a new design pitline that could handle 26-coach trains for electrical and mechanical repairs/maintenance. This would be the third pitline in Madurai station.

Mr. Varghese also launched the Railnet Computer Training Centre of the Southern Railway Women’s Welfare Organisation. He opened a new record room for the Accounts Department in the Divisional Office.The Divisional Railway Manager, Hemant Kumar, the Additional Divisional Railway Manager, M. Suyambulingam, and other senior railway officials were present.

Mosquito density to be monitored online

To prevent the outbreak of vector-borne diseases like chikungunya, health officials have decided to use information technology for monitoring the density of mosquitoes in all districts.A software has been developed in association with the National Informatics Centre to study online the profile and virulence of mosquitoes from a centralised system.

“Officials at the district level will post the data on a website. The launch of this online monitoring mechanism is planned for July 12. As of now, the Health Department gets records by post. The new system will help in instant access to information,” Director of Public Health P. Padmanabhan told.According to Dr. Padmanabhan, the online system will be a strategic move to contain the spread of vector-borne diseases, especially when cases of chikungunya are being reported in neighbouring Kerala.District Malaria Officers will constantly monitor the mosquito density and update the website.The State-wide statistics will help officials initiate preventive measures when the density crosses the ‘critical level.’

Water flow from Periyar dam today

Madurai:The State Government on Wednesday issued an order to begin release of water from the Periyar dam to irrigate 14,707 acres of land in Cumbum valley on Thursday.Public Works Department sources said that 200 cusecs of water would be released from 6 a.m.It will irrigate the first crop covering 11,807 acres of land in Uthamapalayam taluk, 2,412 acres in Theni taluk and 488 acres in Bodinaickanur.

The release of water has been delayed for nearly a month this year owing to paucity of sufficient storage in the reservoir. Irrigation can commence on June 1, provided the dam has 2,000 mcft of water.The present storage is 2,213 mcft.The level in the dam stood at 117.70 feet with an inflow and discharge of 710 cusecs (to augment drinking water storage in Vaigai dam).The level in the Vaigai dam was 29.53 feet with an inflow of 734 cusecs and a discharge of 41 cusecs.The combined Periyar credit stood at 2,220 mcft.No rainfall was recorded in the catchment areas of Periyar-Vaigai basin in the last 24 hours ending 8 a.m. on Wednesday.

Junior ambassador from Madurai

Madurai: Abirami Srinivasan, an eighth Standard student of Le-Chatlier Matriculation Higher Secondary School here, has been chosen as the junior ambassador from India to participate in the 19th Asia-Pacific Children’s Convention to be held at Fukuoka in Japan between July 11 and 26.She is one of the two children selected from Tamil Nadu, and one among the eight ambassadors from India.

The other girl from Tamil Nadu is Abirami Nagarajan from Sivakasi.Ms. Abirami Srinivasan grabbed the opportunity with her dance skills and Ms. Abirami Nagarajan as a national carrom champion at sub-junior level.Besides, one girl each from Kerala and Andhra Pradesh and boys from Mumbai, Nagpur, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh will be other ambassadors.There will be eight participants from India, led by Kiran Gupta.The objectives of the convention are to appreciate the culture of other countries and regions, promote mutual understanding and friendship and nurture international awareness among youths, says Ms. Abirami Srinivasan.The convention will witness the participation of 384 children below 12 years of age from 48 countries.The event will be supervised by the Fukuoka Junior Chamber and supported by Fukuoka Prefectural Government, the Fukuoka Municipal Government and other supporting organisations.

Briefing on the selection process, C.S.A. Kannan, past executive vice-president of Junior Chamber, says that students, who have excelled in extra curricular activities, will be selected by the Junior Chamber International India, the selection authority.Ms. Abirami Srinivasan is the sixth representative from Madurai for the international convention, he adds.

Mela for talking business

Madurai:A scene at the mela in Madurai.More young men are taking to entrepreneurship these days, thereby hoping to become job providers rather than going after one.Making this observation at the conclusion of ‘Business Opportunity Mela’ organised here on Thursday and Friday by V 4 Edge Franchise Solutions, franchise process outsourcing concern, it’s founder Sam Nicholas said Madurai has a lot of potential.

Elaborating about the two-day programme, he says that it is an interacting platform between those who want to take to business and those looking for partners to further their product.About 15 stalls were put up at the mela. The company executives manning the stalls would explain the opportunities available with the company. If a person is interested, then the follow up action will be taken care of by the company. Many big brands started off as small ventures, he says, adding that the concept of franchising was a major factor in their growth.Huge companies are looking to build a viable partnership with people to expand their operations.

Mr. Nicholas says he advices budding entrepreneurs to start off with the resources at their disposal and to resort to seeking additional funds from external sources only as a last resort.The pressure from these external agencies could some time be detrimental to growth. The response has been better than expected with people turning up from as far as Thanjavur and Kanyakumari, he says.Deputy Manager (marketing), M. Karthikeyan, says that the company offers help in sectors across the board, from play schools, pizza restaurants to the aviation industry. More than 1,000 people participated in the mela, he says.

Maths learing easy

Madurai:Catch five and leave three … multiply tens and add ones… When Meena Suresh, director, Ramanujan Museum and Math Education Centre (RMMEC), gave instructions over the public address system, teachers slowly turned into students and had fun with counting, using fingers and playing with colour mathematical kits to learn multiplication tables.“Why should children be forced to memorise multiplication tables when they can learn them on their own without toiling,” A.T.B. Bose, secretary, RMMEC, said.Students developed hatred towards mathematics at an early age as they are forced to memorise concepts.

Mathematical concepts and numbers could be visualised and students could explore and learn the concepts involving themselves in various activities. Maths could pave way for alternative solving methods. Hence to reach out to the students, RMMEC had been conducting a series of workshops for teachers, he said.“The workshop is the tip of an iceberg. With the given guidelines, teachers have to explore new techniques to make the class more interacting, exploring and interesting for students,” Mr. Bose said.RMMEC organised a third workshop in Madurai on June 15 and 16 to help the teachers understand effective teaching methods of mathematics with effective kits.

The first day concentrated on a wide range of 12 topics, including place value, multiplication tables, division, equal grouping, distribution and repeated subtraction forming shapes, introduction of percentage and addition and subtraction of rational numbers for teachers of standard I to V.On the second day, the participants concentrated on various topics, including area of triangles, four operations of integers, interior angle of polygon, finding apothem, area of polygon, addition, subtraction, multiplication and division of algebraic expression and a different approach for Pythagoras Theorem for teachers of standard VI to X. As many as 22 primary teachers from various schools participated.

To kindle the interest in learning maths that would provide huge space for creativity and imagination and help children to get rid of maths phobia, RMMEC had planned to organise a ‘Maths Fest’ on June 17 (Sunday).Any student who wanted to get rid of this phobia and enjoy the world of numbers could drop in at Sangeetha Mahal near Mariamman Teppakulam.The entry was free and students studying in I to X standards could pay a visit to the venue along with parents between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Lawers plan to meet Chief Justice

Madurai:Lawyers practising in the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court will meet Chief Justice Ajit Prakash Shah in Chennai to highlight the "disparities" among High Court judges in granting anticipatory bail.They are aggrieved at the practice followed by a few judges who grant only temporary anticipatory bail, for one-four months, while a few others grant permanent anticipatory bail until the criminal case was disposed of.

Some of the office-bearers of the major Bar associations here represented the matter before Justice G. Rajasuria, hearing anticipatory bail petitions, on Monday and sought adjournment of all such cases until the matter was brought to the notice of the Chief Justice. They promised to get back by Wednesday afternoon.The issue cropped up in April this year when Justice P.R. Shivakumar, presiding over the Madurai Bench, stopped the practice of granting permanent anticipatory bail, relying upon a February 23 Supreme Court ruling. A two-judge Bench of the Supreme Court ruled that granting permanent anticipatory bail would amount to imposing a blanket ban on the police to arrest the accused.

Mr. Justice Rajasuria, who held the anticipatory bail portfolio in May, referred the matter to the Chief Justice for being placed before a larger Bench. A Division Bench of Justices M. Chockalingam and P.R. Shivakumar heard the matter and ruled that only the Supreme Court could resolve the issue.

Plan to float a new web portal in Tamil

Madurai:S. Tamilselvan of National Literacy Mission speaking at a workshop in Madurai. The Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (CDAC), a research wing of Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, has planned to float a web portal in Tamil to help people from rural areas gain knowledge about child rights, education and technology.The Centre of India Development Gateway (INDG) and Hyderabad-based Centre for World Solidarity and Littles Trust organised a State-level workshop on `Universalisation of education and child rights' here on Thursday.

A discussion was organised to decide on the contents of the portal, content providers, validators and translators.Briefing about the workshop, T.R. Parvatha Varthini of Littles Trust, a Madurai-based non-Governmental organisation working for children, said that the portal would focus on strengthening first-level service providers to discharge services more effectively. It would also educate the actual end user on various issues in five identified areas such as agriculture, healthcare, rural energy, education and e-governance.

The portal aimed at facilitating technology to serve as means to provide information and share knowledge.The participants discussed 13 topics, including database, programme policies, laws and legislation, child rights and protection, e-forum and teaching methodologies. They wanted the portal to give more details on `Sarva Siksha Abhiyan' and space for students to assess their teachers' performances annually.The portal would also serve as a platform for the rural children and the public to post their views on Government policies and schemes, provided if the information is properly validated at various levels, Ms. Varthini said.

Inaugurating the workshop, S. Tamilselvan of National Literacy Mission, said that education should be demystified and the interests of children protected.As many as 45 participants from 18 districts, including representatives from non-governmental organisations, teachers, doctors and advocates, took part in the workshop.Persons interested in contributing to the portal can log on to http://www.indg.in/

Spl train to Madu & Tuticorin

Southern Railway will operate special trains to Madurai and Tuticorin and back to clear rush of passengers.Train No.0606 and 0628 will leave Madurai at 11 p.m. on June 12 and June 16 and arrive at Egmore at 10 a.m. the next day. In the return direction, train No.0605 and 0627 will leave Egmore at 11 p.m. on June 15 and June 17 and reach Madurai at 9 a.m. the next day.

It will stop at Kodaikanal Road, Dindigul, Tiruchi, Vriddhachalam, Villupuram, Tindivanam, Chengalpattu and Tambaram. Train No. 0606 and 0628 will stop at Mambalam also.Train No.0619 will leave Egmore at 11 p.m. on June 13 and reach Tuticorin at 12.15 p.m. the next day. In the return direction train No.0620 will leave Tuticorin at 9 p.m. on June 14 and arrive at Egmore at 10 a.m. the next day.It will stop at Tambaram, Chengalpattu, Tindivanam, Villupuram, Vriddhachalam, Tiruchi, Dindigul, Madurai, Virudunagar, Sattur, Kovilpatti and Vanchi Maniyachchi. It will stop at Mambalam too.

SRMU opposes privatisation move

Madurai: The Southern Railway Mazdoor Union (SRMU) has expressed concern over the increasing privatisation moves in the railways, as it feels that it would render scores of employees jobless.According to the SRMU general secretary, N. Kanniah, the move to privatise operations such as coach cleaning, train maintenance and supply of bedrolls to passengers will result in at least 2 lakh employees losing their jobs. "The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation taking over catering services in the railways has left 6,000 employees unemployed and efforts are on to accommodate them in other departments."

Talking to reporters here on Wednesday, he said that 1.75 lakh vacancies in safety category services were unfilled forcing the staff to work for 10 to 12 hours. Unmindful of the growing unemployment problem and the threat to safety in rail operations, the railway administration was downsizing manpower in various departments.Accusing the Sixth Pay Commission of practising "anti-labour" attitude, he said that the move to introduce performance-based incentives would divide the work force.

The SRMU had submitted a memorandum to the Pay Commission seeking Rs. 1,000 as interim relief. The union had also sought a basic pay of Rs. 11,000 for non-technical Group D employees, Rs. 13,500 for trackmen/assistant technicians and Rs. 18,000 for clerical staff, he added.Earlier, Mr. Kanniah took part in a meeting of SRMU office-bearers form Madurai Division. The divisional secretary, R. Kesavan, and assistant divisional secretary, J.M. Rafiq, among others, took part.

Madurai under scanner of Police

Madurai:The Collector, S.S. Jawahar, centre, addressing a meeting of police officials in Madurai on Wednesday.The Madurai West Assembly constituency, where by-election is slated for June 26, has come under the scanner of the police and district administration.Special teams of election officials have been deployed to initiate pre-poll arrangements as filing of nominations begins on June 1.Addressing a press conference here on Wednesday, the Additional Director General of Police and Commissioner, A. Subramanian, and the Collector, S.S. Jawahar, said that all steps would be taken to ensure a free and fair election. The code of conduct would be implemented in letter and spirit.

Mr. Subramanian said that the police were closely monitoring all the 216 polling stations in the constituency. Vigil had been stepped up at lodges, unoccupied houses and marriage halls to prevent the entry of "outsiders." Police personnel were briefed of the rules pertaining to the conduct of processions/meetings and use of vehicles for campaign.An elaborate election security scheme was being prepared. Besides the local police, additional forces would also be roped in for bandobust.

Mr. Jawahar said that the police and revenue officials had been instructed to gather intelligence with regard to the movement of outsiders in the constituency. All officials involved directly or indirectly in the election process would come under the "superintendence, control and discipline" of the Election Commission."If any official is found to be violating the code of conduct, disciplinary action will be taken, apart from transfer," he warned.A review meeting of police and elections officials was held where the procedures of filing nomination, campaigning etc were discussed. The Madurai SP, T.S. Anbu, the DCPs, R. Ramrajan (Law and Order), V.H. Mohammed Haneefa (Crimes), J. Ravindran (Headquarters) and K. Veerasekharan (Armed Reserve) were present.

New software to hone chess skills

Madurai: N. John Rajesh (right) working with a visually challenged person in Madurai on Sunday.In an attempt to facilitate visually challenged persons learn, practise and play chess without any external assistance, Tamil Nadu Chess Association for the Blind has come out with an innovative software that will help the persons learn the game from a computer.According to S.S. Pandiarajan, general secretary of the association, the software is usable after installing

The existing software used by the visually challenged speaks text aloud in a variety of natural-sounding voices that can be modified according to individual preference.The association's yet-to-be-named software reads the printed chess literature, converts it to audio output and makes use of Kurzweil to read it aloud.This helps the visually challenged to hear the uploaded chess moves.

"This software will be a boon to any aspiring visually challenged chess player. At present, the players have to rely on external help to read the available literature to hone their skills."Besides, they have to work manually on the chessboard to master the game.

"But once the software is installed, access becomes easy as the player can use the productivity tools to communicate with the computer, which ultimately enhances the individual's skills," said N. John Rajesh, deputy general secretary, who has developed the software.The reading software also includes a list of visually challenged chess players all over the State."Compared to other countries, chess for the visually challenged is yet to pick up in the country."Hence, we want to help our players improve their game," said Mr. Pandiarajan.

"Though the software can be used as of now, it needs certain changes to bring it to commercial use," said Mr. Rajesh.History is also on their side as in the game of chess, both the normal and the visually challenged stand equal chance of winning.

UniverCell footprints in Madurai

UniverCell, a pioneer in mobile phone retailing with an annual turnover of Rs 120 crore, has opened two new showrooms in the city, one at North Veli street and the other at Bypass road, recently. With this addition, the company has now 21 new showrooms across the State. The company has plans for further expansion, a press release said.