VOL: 1 ISSUE 35
Alpha Times
HC stays demolition drive of Chennai Corporation
It was Thursday
morning as usual for the
shopkeepers located at the
T Nagar's Ranganathan
Street when a posse of
policemen along with the
team of about 150 civic
staff - workers, junior
engineers, assistant
engineers, assistant
executive engineers,
executive engineers - from
16 wards, led by an
assistant commissioner of
the Kodambakkam zone
scooped on the street, one
of the prime shopping
locations in Chennai. Forty
police personnel from
Mambalam and Soundara
Pandianar Angadi police
stations shut off the area
with temporary barricades.
At least 16 small
shops that had encroached
upon the neighbouring
Rameswaram Street were
pulled down by the local
body. At the end of the
Feb. 15, 2009
Putting Heart and Soul of your Neighbourhood
PRICE Re. ONE ONLY
Ranganathan Street imbroglio
exercise that lasted till It was only traders took over the labourers to remove the chaos outside," he said.
about 3 pm, around 70% when six bulldozers and demolition, engaging carefully signboards, S o m e
of the encroachments l o r r i e s sunshades and shopkeepers said that the
were bulldozed and four entered hoardings so as to sunshades were also
lorry loads of debris and Ranganath minimise the damage demolished when we have
other waste were an Street at and loss. been pauing tax for the sun
removed and a 6 ft extra 8 am that The situation shades too for many years.
width was recovered. traders quickly turned With the case in
"No sooner was realised the unpleasant, when small Supreme court and the
a case against the how serious traders alleged that they Madras High Court
encroachments filed in t h e were being discriminated granting a stay it is
the high court than the authorities against. M Murugan, a premature to comment on
traders were given time were in trader, said that only the situation said the
to remove them on their getting rid of small shops were official on condition of
own. They were informed t h e targetted and several anonymity.
several times and the encroachm multi-storyed structures However its first
final deadline got over e n t s . were left untouched. "It is round victory for the
Wednesday. So we went H o w e v e r, only the small shops that traders. It will be known
ahead with the the sight of are asked to down next month as to who will
demolition on Thursday," corporation shutters. The big malls have the last laugh.
a senior corporation workers remain open and have -AT Team
o ff i c i a l t o l d m e d i a . reducing brisk business, despite
Although revenue their shops
records show that the to rubble To Advertise Reaches
width of the road should Call
be 30.6 feet, traders had
was too
much for
55000
encroached upon more
than six feet, sources
them to
d i g e s t .
99400 households
Houdjj
every
said. M a n y
24556 Sunday
Page 2
VOL : 1 ISSUE 35 Feb. 15, 2009
Dangerous foods
A study conduced by the Centre for Science
and Environment dropped a bombshell when it reported
that most of the edible oils available in the market contain
more trans fats than permissible. High levels of trans
fats, five to 12 times higher than the internationally
accepted standards, were found in seven vanaspati
brands. Later it cleared many vegetable oils and
declared it safe for cooking purposes. But the fact
remains that, by and large, the Indian consumer remains
oblivious to the health hazards of the majority of the food
products he consumes.
That India, which is threatening to become the
diabetic capital of the world, is not eating right is an
undisputed fact. As many as 50 per cent of the women
are malnourished and 51 per cent of the children are
stunted because they are not eating the right food. While
the poor don't have enough to eat, the rich are spending
less on healthy food. The average Indian's consumption
of vegetables and fruits is far below the required norm.
Now, the trans fats of hydrogenated oils are posing a
major threat to health. According to the Centre for
Chronic Diseases Control, New Delhi, trans fats not only
raise bad cholesterol and cause heart ailments, but also
can lead to many diseases like cancer and diabetes.
Sadly, though the Health Ministry's Oils and Fats Sub-
Committee forwarded the recommendation to the
Central Committee for Food for standards, no clear
guidelines on trans fats have been laid out.
The Health Ministry's move to make nutritional
labelling compulsory for all processed food by March 19
is welcome. However, it should also have included
restaurant food that is loaded with trans fats as also
saturated fats. Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss's
belief that nutritional information will enable people to
make better choices is well-placed. But, awareness is
only one part of healthy eating. Health awareness
campaigns must complement healthy food choices.
Harmful food products need to be taken off the shelf.
Food standards and permissible limits must be clearly
defined, disseminated to the public and implemented
rigorously.
Hayagreeva Homam
A Hayagreeva Homam is slated to be held for
the benefit of students appearing for the Board
Examinations in general at the Sankara Madam on Feb.
15.The Homam would be initiated by Sri Sankarananda
Swamigal at 9.00 am. Students desirous of participating
in the Homam can join and there is no fee for
participation. For more information call V
Lakshminarasimhan 97909 20744
Ekadhina Lakshaarchanai
Sri Ram Samaj has embarked upon a
programme of Ekadhina Lakshaarchanai for Lord Sri
Rama at the Ayodhya Mandapam on Feb. 15 at 7.30 am.
All are welcome.
Special Trishati
Tiruvilakku Puja
Chennai Om Sri Skandasramam is organising
a special Trishati Tiruvilakku Puja (300 nos.) on February
17, 6.00 p.m., for world peace and prosperity at the
Skandasramam's Harihara Hall, 1, Kambar St.,
Mahalakshmi Nagar, Selaiyur, Tambaram. For details,
call 22290134 / 94446 29570.
Chant Vishnu Saharsranamam
in the presence of Balaperiyaval
Vishna Sahasranama committee at the Ram
Samaj will be arranging a programme of chanting
Vishnusahasranamam in the presence of Sankara
Vijayendra Saraswathi Swamigal of Kanchi Mutt ( Bala
periyaval) at Kancheepuram on Sunday Feb. 22 to
commemorate the Jayanthi of Balaperiyaval.
Free bus is arranged by the Sri Ram Samaj
which will leave Ayodhya Mandapam at 6.30 am on Feb.
22 and the particpants would be provided with breakfast,
lunch etc.,
Devotees desirous of participating can register
their names with Shri Gopala Iyer on Phone 2471 0273
on or before Feb. 20 and be present on Feb. 22 morning
at the Ayodhya Mandapam.
Alpha Times Feb. 15, 2009
Did Baba preach
“Just feel good" gospel?
What is the method of teaching that Baba For the week Feb. 15-21, 2009
followed? Did He install any institution or a particular
way of thought for His followers to propagate? For that
matter, has there been any record of Sadguru Sainath Mars having shed off its combustive phase will
make you ambitious and unstoppable in the field of your
activity.
With an exalted Venus, people, who have
ignored you, will rally around you. Best time to gain
popularity and make your dreams come true.
Time to work hard but don't expect instant
results. Shed resentment and remorse and resolve to act
for a better tomorrow.
Full moon may bring you luck. With a sharp wit
and quick pace, you will perform better if you are in tune
with your needs.
appointing anyone to continue what we conceive as
the mission He had set?
Inscrutable are His ways! This is a famous [ July 23 to Aug 22 ]
phrase from Nagesh Vasudev Gunaji's English There may be strong reasons for your
version of Shri Sai Satcharitha. It turns out to be true. optimism, but don't overlook reality, it may be
During His lifetime and after, Baba showed a peculiar dangerous. Though a stable mind can be of help.
way of teaching and guiding His followers. He had
asked some to be more disciplined, perform rituals,
and undertake reading of sacred texts, while some
were asked to keep quiet or just wait. Some were Don't divulge your important plans, let others
commended for their piety while some denounced for declare theirs first. Don't be tricked by unreliable people
their orthodoxy! around you.
Baba seemed to have answers to the
innermost of the questions His followers had. He
seemed to have a certain way of giving "individualized Friday-born will be lucky, as obstacles become
instruction" depending on one's earnestness. opportunities. Thursday-born, however, will have to see
However, He seems to be very particular in what the lady luck has to offer.
emphasizing certain virtues in His followers. The two
pice (two cents) He demanded were faith and
patience. Invaluable! By calling Himself as a servant,
Baba has stressed the importance of humility, Pay heed to the warnings and don't play with
because humility is a virtue that reaps rich harvest in your hard-earned money. Your lure to earn easy money
one's pursuits. By insisting on the surrender of the self can harm you.
and accepting the will of the supreme over the
individual, Baba stressed the existence of a unifying
higher order. His views on the purpose of religions
were simple, "There is only one God and the purpose
You have been denied just desserts for long. So
you may not accept lukewarm rewards. Jupiter, sighted
of every religion is the same". In a unique way, Sai by the moon, may make you dictate terms. Stick to your
Baba of Shirdi also had asked His followers to stand.
investigate the "self". He also expounded on the
obstacles for such a pursuit, native as well as
acquired. Is it possible to categorize this unique way of
spiritual leadership? Since you don't take precautions, you may
For some, Baba's life and teachings might suffer from seasonal ailments. Seek medical help and
look like a paradox, but in reality, His ways are as
keep fit. Let health be top priority.
simple and natural as it could be! He did not give any
set of rules to follow for His disciples. On the other
hand, He was present in the minds of earnest
If you join hands with a Cancerian or a Leo, you
devotees who sought His guidance on matters, big will not have any peace. But Virgoans and Librans will
and small. For such people, in His words, He guarded make sacrifices for you.
them from front, back, and sides. To those who would
differ with His advice, Baba said simply, "God will do
good". Faith and patience are two traits common to
everyone and by invoking these qualities common to
every human being; Sai Baba of Shirdi has indeed
If you feel over-worked, it is a blessing in
disguise. If you work hard, it will bring affluence and
simplified the pursuit. glory. Friends who have gone may come back.
Eleven assurances of Sainath are well
- Dr. Anuj Vikram Sharma
known to His devotees. Baba said that none who
would approach Him would turn back disappointed.
Did He mean that every prayer would be answered?
Yes! Every prayer will receive an answer. Sometimes,
Donate Keep
the answer is "Yes", sometimes, "No", and some other
times, "Just wait". Baba's coffers are open to those Blood your
who believe in waiting and wanting His grace and love.
city
His gift to those is not "just feel good" temporary Save Life
material appeasement, but bliss that is perpetual, a clean
state of permanent contentment.
Feb. 15, 2009
Tyagaraja aradhana
Bharat Kalachar is conducting Tyagaraja
aradhana on February 15, 8.45 a.m. at Sri YGP
Auditorium, 17, Tirumalai Road, T. Nagar. Eminent
musicians will render Pancharatna kritis on the occasion.
Musicians vocal and instrumental will pay homage to
the saint poet during the day.For further details call 2834
1164/2834 3045/2817 3596.
Free Medical camp
A free thyroid
detection camp will be
conducted from 10.00 am
to 1.00 pm on Saturday,
Feb 21 at 6, Malony Road,
T.Nagar, Screening and
TSH test will be done
followed by free
Sathya SaiAkhanda Bhajan
Sri Sathya Sai
organisation, Chennai
Metro (West), West
Mambalam Samithi
functioning at 1, Easwaran
Koil Street, West
Mambalam as a part of
M a h a s i v a r a t h r i
celebrations will be
organising an akhanda
Rama Nama chanting
Chaithanya
Mahaprabhu Nama Biksha
Kendra, there will be
chanting of Hare Rama
from 5.00 p.m to 6.00 p.m
in Sri Suprabatha Sabha,
10/6 Baroda 2nd Street,
West Mambalam and from
6.00 pm to 7.00 pm in
Spoken English Course
Ramakrishna
Mission Ashrama located
at 3, Maharajapuram
Santhanam Salai, T.Nagar,
will conduct a spoken
English course (Advanced
level) from Wednesday,
Feb. 18 for college
students and others. A
session of 24 classes will
be conducted from 6.20
p.m to 8.15pm on
Mondays, Wednesdays
and Fridays.
Those who can
Free pranic
healing camp
GMCKS Pranic
Healing Center 7,
Vivekananadapuram 1st
Street, West Mambalam
will conduct a free pranic
healing camp from 10.00
am to 2.00 pm today
(Sunday, Feb. 15).
Those suffering
from arthritis, back pain,
To Advertise in this paper Call
99400 24556
Send your news and events by email to
alphatimes1 @gmail.com
consultation on a later
date by Dr. P. Kannan on
receipt of test reports.
Those desirous of
participating in the camp
may register their name
thorugh SMS to 98411
61760.
bhajan from 9.00 am on
Monday, Feb. 23 to 6.00
am on Tuesday Feb. 24 in
Vasantham Marriage
Hall, Arya Gowda Road,
West Mambalam. For
details call K.N.
Meenakshisumdaram
(Convener) in ph: 94450
34415. All are welcome.
Sridevi Jayamuthu
Mariamman Koil,
Brindavan Street, West
Mambalam (opp. Navin’s
office) on Sunday, Feb.
15.For details call 98412
92765/ 89522. All are
welcome.
communicate in English
and have a fair
knowledge of grammar
can apply. The course fee
is Rs. 1000 and the last
date for applying is Feb.
17. Concentration and
meditation training will
also be given. Ashrama
library can be contacted
from 9.30 am to 12.00
p.m and 4.00 pm to 8.00
pm on Ph: 2814 3896/
3514. for registration
details.
frozen shoulder, neck
pain, etc., and
psychological ailments
like stress, depression
and grief are welcome to
attend the camp. For
more information on
pranic healing call
94449 06410/ 97104
03992.
Alpha Times
T Nagar humour
club meeting
The meeting of
the T. Nagar Humour
Club will be held at The
Stenographers’ Guild
premises on Sunday,
Feb. 15, at 4.00 pm. The
famous writer Thiru.
Baggiyam Ramaswamy
will be the chief guest.
There will be an-half-an-
hour joke session.
The meeting is
open to all and those who
are interested to take part
in joke session should
give their names before
the meeting starts.
Malar Hospital launches
Escorts Chest Pain Clinic
Malar Hospitals,
an associate of Fortis
Healthcare, recently
launched the state-of-
the-art Escorts Chest
Pain Clinic (ECPC),
making it the most
modern and fully
equipped chest clinic in
the city.
Ta m i l N a d u
Governor Surjit Singh
Barnala inaugurated the
high-tech centre, which
would attend to
emergency cases round
the clock.
The centre
would provide high-tech
cardiac care facility at par
with international
standards to their
patients. ''The clinic
intend to offer its patients
speedy attention, referral
and attendance by
constant monitoring and
ensuring that nothing
steps out of control in the
handling of the
discomfort'', a hospital
release here said.
Addressing the
Attention Readers, Advertisers and Advertising Agencies
Our new Advertising and Editorial
Classified Booking Office Address:
F 5 and 6, First Floor, Leo Complex, New No: 41, Madley Road, T.Nagar, Chennai- 600 017.
Ph: 4286 7771, Fax: 4286 7772, E-mail: alphatimes1@gmail.com
Page 3
T h e
membership is open to
all. The annual
membership fee is
Rs.100/- and the life
membership fee is Rs.
1,000/-.
For more
details, contact The
T.Nagar Humour Club,
c/o. The Stenographers’
Guild, No.1, Guild St., Daily Trip to
(Behind Siva Vishnu
Thirupathi
Te m p l e ) , T. N a g a r ,
Chennai- 600 017.
Phone: 24342421;
24337387.
function, Mr Barnala
stated that the
government was Available
concerned about the
health of its people. Commercial space in and around Chennai
from 1000 sq. Ft to 25000 sq.ft, ideal for
MNC Banks, BPO, Software companies etc.,
Affordable price. Easy options
Required
Commercial space required in and around
Chennai from 1200 sq.ft., To 20,000 sq.ft for
an MNC.
Contact
CANAAN CITY
Photo: S. Mohan
Ph: 4204 6556/ 4204 6557
''Each and every one of
us take to health care and
Cell: 98400 30466/ 98403 49559
e-mail: cannancity@rediffmail.com
exercise as a regular
habit''.
He said ''the
need of the hour is having
sound health, which
forms the basis for a
happy life. Providing
medical services to the
common people and
bringing health
awareness are avery
important, so that our
people can lead a quality
life''.
Congratulating
Fortis Malar Hospital for
its initiatives to bring
advancements in its
medical facilities, the
Governor said he was
confident that the
hospital would be a super
speciality centre,
delivering high end
medical treatment.
Gearing up for growth
Page 4
Actor director
P a d m a s h r i D r. K a m a l
Hassan said he enjoyed
company of students. He
feels young and await one of
them to show case their
talent more than the filmdom
stalwarts so that he can
emulate them and said he
still learns in the film industry
and feels elated to be among
the students. This was his
expression at the Milan 2009
an intercollege cultural
Kamal's Milan with the students
programme which was
inaugurated on Friday at
the SRM University
campus at the suburban
Kattangulathur.
Inaugurating
''Milan-2009'', a three-day
national level cultural show
organised by the SRM
University the actor said
the film industry needed
educated people.He said
the film industry needed
more educated people and
Alpha Times
exhorted the students to
take up a career in the film
world after completing their
studies.
''It doesn't mean
that all of them should
become actors. The advent
of technology provides
enormous opportunities for
the students to take up
career in the film world. The
film industry offers so many
positions for the students
to pursue their career,'' he
added.
To drive home
his point, Kamal admitted
that he was a high school
dropout and his father's
repeated efforts to make
him study went in vain bu
at times people used to
think that he was a
scientist.
‘'An actor can be
an IAS officer or a Ph.D
also,'' Kamal recalled his
father's words asking him
to take up studies while
pursuing his goal of
becoming an actor.
''But that did not really
happen,'' he said and
appealed to the students
to finish their studies first
and then take up a career
in the film industry.
There was never a dull
moment right through the
one-hour long function
and the decibel level at
the over-crowded
auditorium, which had
about 7,000 students as
against its capacity of
4,000, remained at the
highest.
Each and every
remark made by Kamal
was greeted with
raucous applause by the
students from more than
60 colleges, who had
gathered for the carnival
from every nook and
corner of the country
Talking to the media on
the sidelines of the
function, while
Feb. 15, 2009
reiterating its stand on
the infrastructure needed
for commencing the
courses the Chancellor T
R Pachamuthu said that
Our Team
Editor
the University plans to
set up the necessary S. Raghunathan
infrastructure for the Film
Institute it has planned Advisor
and an area of 17 acres K. Venkataraghavan
with greenary is getting
Reporters
ready in the University
campus itself. Once the Usha
Sai Narayan
infrastructre is ready the
University will Designer
commence the Film M. Valarmathi
institute and it will romp in
Circulation
industry doyens to assist
the University in S. Akbar Ali
imparting the best quality Advertisement Desk
education. 044 4286 7771
Underlining the
Owned and Published by
U n i v e r s i t y ' s
committment to the poor S. Raghunathan
the Chancellor said that Office
the university is time and
F 5 and 6, First Floor,
again identifying the
needy and the poor and Leo Complex,
41, Madley Road,
gives them free higher
education in most of the T.Nagar,
cases. Chennai-600 017
Pro Chancellor P Ravi Ph: 4286 7771
earlier presented a shawl 99400 24556
to the actor Kamal
Hassan and Vice Disclaimer
Readers are recommended to
chancellor Prof. P mak e appropriate enquiries
Sathyanarayan, and before entering into dealings
other officials of the with advertisers who advertise
University were present in this publ icat ion, Nei ther.
the Editor, nor the Printer and
on the occasion. Publisher do not vouch any
claim s made by advertisers
-Staff Reporter and hence shall not be held
liable for any adverse
consequences.
Feb. 15, 2009
Councilor inaugurated public convenience
It ‘s habbit of the
passersby to ease out
along railway tracks as a
urinal can now ease
Last call for private candidates
Kicking yourself
for failing to submit your
application form within the
stipulated time for the
forthcoming higher
secondary examinations –
slated to be held in March
this year - as a private
candidate? Relax. There is a
window of opportunity.
You can send in
your application under the
‘special admission scheme’
of the education department.
Under the scheme, private
candidates need to remit a
special fee of Rs 1,000 in
addition to the examination
fees.
Candidates whose
applications were earlier
rejected but have paid the
Guild celeberates ‘Founder's Day
T h e s tu d e n ts fr o m
Stenographer's Guild T
Nagar celebrated its 72nd
Founder's Day on
Tuesday. Tamil Nadu DGP
K P Jain was the chief
guest.
Welcoming the
gathering S V
Ramaswamy Hon.
President of the Guild said
that the Guild will be
offering free of cost
coaching to physically
challenged , orphans,
trans-genders, and to
students from EWS of the
themselves out at the
newly constructed
corporation public
convenience on the
examination fees can also
apply under this scheme
by paying only the special
fee of Rs 1,000 through a
demand draft. Such
candidates should enclose
the memo sent by the
education department as
evidence along with the
filled-in application form,
an official press release
said on Friday.
You can collect
the applications from the
following offices from
February 18 to 23 except
on weekends: Directorate
o f G o v e r n m e n t
Examinations, College
Road, Chennai; all Chief
Educational Offices, and
all District Educational
economically backward
classes.
Showering
encomiums DGP K P
Jain lauded the efforts of
the Guild in promoting
Stenography and
adviced the students to
equip themselves with
job oriented courses.
DGP Jain later
To Advertise call
99400 24556
Alpha Times Page 5
service lane of Madley
Road subway near
Mambalam Railway
station parking lot.
This facility was
recently inaugurated by
R. Prakash (councilor,
Ward 125) Councilor
Prakash in an informal
chat with this staffer said
that it has 2 bathrooms
and toilets for men and
women. A mirror with
washbasin has also been
installed. Public
convenience users if
found that the
maintenance is below
standards they are free to
alert him on Mob. 98408
34812.
Offices.
You need to get
your photographs on the
application form and the
hall ticket duly attested by
the headmaster of the
school where you had last
studied. You also need to
submit your filled-in
application form in person
at the Directorate of
G o v e r n m e n t
Examinations, Chennai - 6,
on or before February 23, 5
p.m. Applications sent by
post will be rejected.
Direct private
candidates (HP category)
should get an attestation
from the headmaster of the
school where they
(candidates) last studied.
distributed certificates
and prizes to the
successful candidates
and also gave away the
certificates to 14
students of the Little
Flower Deaf and Dumb
school for successfully
completing the
typewriting course.
- Staff Reporter
Page 6
Crime Beat
Cash bag robbed from
retired banker
A 60 year old
retired Banker from IOB
came out of IOB West
Mambalam branch after
withdrawing cash around
1.30 p.m.The incident
happened on Friday, Feb.
07
P r o b a b l y
watching his movements
for sometime, a middle
aged rowdy suddenly
snatched his cash bag
containing cash
Rs.15000/- and credit
cards by overpowering him
and escaped in a
motorcycle which was kept
nearby by along with an
accomplice. The victim was
shouting for help but of no
use as the passers by were
just looking on. l. The
culprits also managed to
pay some bills by misusing
the credit cards before it
could be deactivated.
This has caused
immense panic among the
womenfolk as well as Sr.
citizens who frequent the
bank and are agitated, by
the daring incident,
happening on a busy road
and that too in day time.
The area has ATMS of
three major Banks and it is
learnt that similar incidents
Alpha Times Feb. 15, 2009
are taking place quite
frequently. People feel
that there is an urgent
need for strengthening of
police patrolling and
vigilance in and around
the area round the clock.
It is also suggested that
the Banks on their part
should post security
guards and also install
survillance cameras
without fail to get clues
about the culprits where
ever possible.
A complaint has
been filed in the Ashok
Nagar Police Station who
are investigating the
matter.
It may be noted
that Arya Gowda Road
and its neighbourhood
has become vulnerable
for the antisocial
elements to lay hands on
sr. citiznes and women
folk . During last week
Toilet Cleaning
three cases of chain
snatching and a case of Monthly Rs. 200
robbery were heard
among the general
public.
Will the local
police beef up the
security in the area to Ph: 6454 8250,
curb such incidents. 99400 44829
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Feb. 15, 2009 Alpha Times Page 7
Language Arts Business
Use the right word Do not expect big concessions:
It is no doubt a great relief that over the past
hundred years or so language rules regarding the use
Nath to exporters
and choice of words have relaxed considerably. We are New Delhi Feb. 15: packages to boost the
now quite free to coin new expressions to suit our Commerce and domestic economy. In its
situations. 'As light as a baby' will now be as acceptable Industry Minister Kamal first package in
as the traditional version of this simile 'as light as a Nath asked exporters to December 2008, the
feather.' face downturn in Europe government had
What we write now is closer to the way we
speak. As a result simple clear vocabulary has become
and the US without
expecting any other big
provided an interest
subvention of two per
Stop cramming!
the order of the day. The hallmark of a popular writer or fiscal concessions from cent up to March 2009 for
For majority of students, cramming is a way of
speaker is, therefore, the clarity of his expression. Also the government. pre- and post-shipment
his real test lies in how many people from all age groups retaining knowledge, which should be strictly avoided
" O n t h e export credit for labour-
can he reach out and include in his audience. question of packages, I intensive exports The learning process, whether academics or
It is exactly in order to achieve this purpose of want to make it clear that (textiles, leather, marine otherwise, involves attaining and retaining of knowledge
being understood correctly that you are required to use there can be no solution products) and SME about different ideas and their application. The annual
the right word for a situation. In order to develop this by government for sector. examinations are taken to gauge what the students have learnt.
ability make a careful selection of the keywords for use in problems in Europe and Commerce Whether right or wrong, in the process of retention of
your sentences. These keywords generally come in the the US. If there is demand Secretary G K Pillai had knowledge, students most often depend upon 'cramming'
form of verbs, adverbs, nouns and adjectives, as is contraction, government on February said due to Cramming is learning a passage by heart. Most
apparent from the following examples: of India cannot pull out a global downturn about 15 students read aloud the paragraph repeatedly till they are sure
1. The shadows (noun) were stealing (verb) across package to take care of lakh people employed in they remember it well. Although most students do not endorse
the yard. (noun) economic stress in the exporting sector this, it is a fact that understanding a passage is more helpful in
2. He slammed (verb) the door (noun) angrily. Europe and the US," Nath would be out of jobs by
(adverb) remembering it than just learning it word by word. Moreover,
told reporters here. March this year.
3. She sobbed (verb) uncontrollably. (verb) The minister A f t e r a n it is observed that students who comprehend a topic are more
Each of the three examples conveys a clear picture said the government impressive expansion of likely to retain it than those who just cram it.
of what the writer intends to portray. There's a sense of cannot place orders for over 30 per cent in the A good hold over the subject implies that you
movement in "stealing across the yard"; the senses of gems and jewellery and first six months of 2008- comprehend its central idea. Discussions with teachers or
sound and sight in "sobbed uncontrollably "and in textiles. "So there are 09, the growth has turned classmates add in the clear understanding of the topic because
"slammed the door angrily". Certainly when the reader certain sectors which will negative with the result a student will get to know what others think.
understands as nearly as possible what the writer wishes be affected (due to the that the total shipments in In addition to this, students have the chance to gain
to communicate, the purpose of the writing or speech is global recession)." the current fiscal would more vocabulary which helps in thorough comprehension of a
achieved. The Centre had fall much short of the subject because if you have a large vocabulary, you can retain
The first step towards reaching this goal is to announced two stimulus USD 200 billion target. and reproduce the same idea in a different, catchy and crisp
sharpen your comprehension by replacing keywords in a
language.
context with words that carry a meaning which is closest
to the replaced word. Let's study the following passage to Hyundai ups prices Cramming also restricts you to the same language
understand this strategy:"One day I made a very strange and ideas that the textbook has expressed and you do not gain
Hyundai Motor 5,163, the premium knowledge beyond the words. However, you are not always
(queer) discovery (observation). I was alarmed (very
India Ltd, country's hatchback i10 will be
disturbed) to see the print (outline) of a man?s bare asked to answer only what the textbook has focused on but it
second largest car dearer by Rs 3,974-Rs
(shoeless) foot in the sand. I stood as if I was struck (hit) can be a tricky one to test your clear comprehension of the
m a n u f a c t u r e r 7,637 and the prices of
by lightning (thunder)." topic. Therefore, do not confine yourself to rote learning but
announced an increase Accent have gone up by
The next step is to select short passages from try to bring out your inner potentials to gain good grades.
in the prices of Santro, Rs 14,636.
your readings. Turn them into exercises where keywords Unfortunately, our traditional education system tests the
i10 and Accent across all However,
are to be replaced with words of similar meanings. This
its variants by 1.2 per prices of rest of the model memory of students rather than comprehension.
language exercise, when repeated regularly, helps
cent to 3 per cent on range comprising the To things sum up, cramming should be discouraged
enhance your awareness of the most appropriate word
account of raising input newly launched premium at every stage and students should pursue education by
to be used to describe a particular feeling, situation or
cost. hatch i20 and the understanding the viewpoint of their teachers as well as the
action.
The retail prices premium luxury car author of the book or any chapter, and then express it in
Another very effective way of learning how to
across these models Sonata remains whichever way they want. Teachers should also play their part
use the correct word is to look up the section of word
have gone up ranging unchanged, it said in a
usage exercises in the language books available at in discouraging students from following this habit. This will
from Rs 3,601 to Rs statement.
home or in bookshops. Some examples mentioned here not only bring out competent learners but will also promote
14,636. The new prices
will give you a very clear idea of what is meant by a literacy in the country.
After the price are applicable with
choose-the-correct-word exercise. The italicised word in
hike, Santro will be immediate effect, it
each example is the right choice for the missing word in
costlier by Rs 3,601-Rs added. - S. Raghunathan
the relevant sentence.
1. They did not want to ____ their cat unnecessarily.
(a) excitable (b) excite (c) exciting (d) excited
2. She looked after her sick father with great ____
Govt allows FDI in multi-brand retail
(a) care (b) attention (c) purpose (d) pleasure New Delhi: things. FDI till now. faulty and defeats the
3 Raju was asked to ______ the results of the contest It's official now. According to the But, there is a purpose for which it was
to the audience. Despite having foreign new norms, if a company catch in this. If the created. He argued that if a
(a) publish (b) proclaim (c) print (d) announce direct investment (FDI) is owned and controlled downstream company foreign company
Finally, a word of advice to young writers: be on guard through indirect route, by Indians, it will be becomes, wholly- owned incorporated an Indian
against the overuse of a word in your script or your Indian "owned and allowed to venture into subsidiary of the JV company with 51% equity,
speech. Some of the most commonly overused words controlled" company can certain sectors, despite company, then it will not a further 51% downstream
are listed below: aspect, case, character, condition, cute, venture into sectors like having FDI. Now, if in a be treated as a fully investment by this
fine, good, great, lovely, nice, point, question, state, multi-brand retail, said company, foreign holding domestic entity. In that company could operate in
commerce minister is less than 50%, it will be situation, the foreign all sensitive sectors
think, type and way
Kamal Nath on Friday, termed as owned by holding in the including I&B and defense,
I hope in future you will not allow a word like
insisting that the new FDI Indians. If its downstream company where the maximum FDI
'great' to stand out in your essays just because you are
norms are no way management is will be treated as 49% or permitted is 26%.
too lazy to make the effort of replacing the overused word
different from the existing controlled by Indians, it equal to the level of FDI in This is mainly
"great" in your text with words similar in meaning like: rules. will be considered as the parent company. To because the net foreign
amazing, extraordinary, huge, thrilling or excellent. He argued that controlled by Indians. avoid this, a foreign entity holding in the downstream
However, in case your vocabulary is limited and you are at present most of the So, even if will hold less than 50% in company is 25.56%. But, in
facing problems thinking up synonyms for the over-used companies operating in foreign holding in a a JV with Indian this case, both the parent
words in your writings, consult a standard thesaurus or the multi-brand retail are company is 49%, its company. So, by creating and the downstream
dictionary. having investments from investment in another a series of downstream company are effectively
Another step towards increasing your FIIs or raised money downstream subsidiary companies, the FDI owned and controlled by
vocabulary substantially and getting rid of your through ADRs and GDRs company will be termed component can reach the foreign company with
dependence on excessively used words is to adopt a in the international as fully domestic 92% in the fourth level 51% holdings in both of
sound reading habit. A sound habit means not to limit m a r k e t . H o w e v e r, investment and the and still it will remain a them. Nath said that
your reading to just one or two writers but to widen your according to the present downstream company fully Indian company as in under the new guidelines,
mental horizon by exposing yourself to a variety of FDI norms, foreign will be treated as an the present norm this FDI the ownership and control
quality writings penned by different authors. In this way investment is not allowed Indian company and can will be treated as zero. should remain with Indians,
you will soon develop a rich vocabulary which would add in ventures like multi- venture into a sector like Nath said that the existing which is important and
new dimensions to your writings. brand retail, gambling multi-brand retail, which system of calculating FDI would help strengthen the
-Srirangachari and casino, among other has not been opened to through pro-rata basis is corporate India.
Page 8 Alpha Times Feb. 15, 2009
Chorus rendering of Pancharathna
keerthana at Ram Samaj
It was a day of Ganapathim followed by annual event and would
reckoning for the West Gurulekha Ithuvanti be conducted in the
Mambalamwasis on Seva. Then the month of February
Saturday Feb. 07. pancharathna kirthanas preceding the

The vibrations were rendered in unison. R a m a n a v a m i

tion of the rendering of
pancharatna kirtanas
rendered by leading
carnatic musicians at the
Sri Ram Samaj Tyagaraja
utsavam - conducted for
the first time in the history
Sri Ram Samaj for a week-
renting the air the rasikas
had a bountiful happiness
of listening to Saint
Thyagaraja Krithis..
The Programme
began with the song Sri
Speaking on the celebrations.
occasion the managing E a r l i e r S . V. .
trustee of the Samaj K. Ramaswamy secretary
Srinivasan expressed his of the Samaj welcomed
sincere thanks for the the gathering. S.
maximum participation Venkateswaran
by the rasikas and also assistant secretary
thanked the the carnatic proposed a vote of
music vidwans and thanks.N Venkataraman,
vishushis for their whole president of the Samaj
hearted support to this and other governing
utsavam., body members were
He reiterated present on the occasion.
that that this will be an -Staff Reporter

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