Today - International Day of People with Disability

December 3rd is International Day of People with Disabilities. Proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly, this day aims to promote an understanding of disability issues, the rights of persons with disabilities and integration of persons with disabilities in every aspect like political, social, economic and cultural life of their communities.

Money Suckers

There is a word 'Uzhaipurinjigal' in Tamil which literally translates to 'Work suckers' [Getting more work from workers and paying them less]. Autodrivers in Chennai are in a similar way can be called Money Suckers. There is no rule to make them charge nominally to the consumers. One of the biggest challenge faced by Tourists & others who visits Chennai is autodriver trying to charge heavily for even a small distance. We had already spoken and many articles have been written in all the top dailies and magazines without any use. I think its high time Govt should step in and implement digital meters similar to the ones in Hyderabad.

Expansion of Velachery Taramani Link Road

When the expansion of Velachery Taramani Link Road, I was happy that it would reduce the traffic and thereby the journey time. But, how long our politicians or civic officials start these sort of construction works during rainy days. I think the work started before 2 months approx[I'm not able to remember exact time it had started] & for more than past 2 weeks no work had been carried out due to rain from NorthEast monsoon. Also, travel time doubled due to the recent rains in the Velachery-Taramani link road. NorthEast monsoon is the one by which TamilNadu receives more rainfall than SouthWest monsoon. And I hope civic officials know these already. But, whatever regime comes to power they didnt do proper planning to make sure that the money invested in big projects like these [construction of flyovers, expansion of roads, etc] are not wasted. Its really worst that the taxpayers money are wasted. I really wonder if God will change India!!!

Deepavali

I hope every one had a great Deepavali.. Right from new clothes, movies, sweets and the least crackers. Nowadays, I am not really interested in crackers.. I dont know if it's a conscious decision, but for the past few years I am really not interested in firing them.. I somehow feel that it is creating more pollution[noise and air] rather than creating happiness. May be that it creates happiness for children. There are approximately 600 accidents during this Deepavali as per Dinakaran Newspaper report across TamilNadu. Normally any festival is touted to be bringing happiness which lasts forever. And Deepavali is no exception. But sometimes, it turns out to be rather bad moment when accidents occur. Moreover, Earth is already warming up and by firing crackers we are creating much more polluted air and thereby increasing global warming. I accept that Deepavali is coming only once a year. But if you consider the amount of toxic gases that are emitted during deepavali, it would be more to calculate. I think as a responsible human being it's our duty to give a well deserved living space for our future generations. It doesn't mean that I am totally against festival. 'Festival of light' should do or for that matter must do some good thing to Earth.

Eeram & UnnaiPolOruvan

Last week, I saw Unnai Pol Oruvan @ Mayajaal. This is first time I was in Mayajaal and enjoyed the show. The movie which is a remake of 'A Wednesday' was a treat to watch. It runs for 2 hours. Starring veterans like KamalHaasan, MohalLal and Lakshmi, along with Ganesh venkatram, Anuja Iyer, Bharath reddy, it deals with common man's angst against terror attacks and the kind of action being taken by government to tackle the same. There are many pluses for the movie. Acting, casting, background score, logical storyline[except at few places], screenplay and on. The only minus I found was frequent use of English dialogues which ofcourse common man cant understand [When the movie is said to be common man's angst against terror, use of much english words doesnt fit the bill]. Also, happened to see Eeram last saturday. Again this movie is different from normal minimum guarantee movies[having 5 songs, 4 fights, some comedy, sentiment and lot of heroism]. Visuals of this movie is a great plus. The whole movie has atleast little bit of water[in any of the form with rain especially being one of the important one] in almost all the scenes. As far as the acting is concerned, no seasoned veterans are there but their acting is excellent and mindblowing. Eventhough it is thriller genre, we are not feeling it as visuals keep you chilled throughout. Both these movies give some hope similar to Subramaniyapuram and other low budgets, but movies with good storyline.

Attacks in Srilanka and Australia

Its been a long time since I posted. Its also very late to blog the issue in Srilanka and Australia. Situation in Srilanka seems to worse even aftermath of the war. There are many Tamilians who are placed in a congested tents. Also, medical facilities and food are not available properly. More than 20 students have been already attacked due to racialism in Australia. Its high time that Indian government need to take stringent and quick action on both these high priority issues.

Voted?!

Hope that everyone out voted. I voted yesterday for the first time ever eventhough I had the right to vote for the past 7 years, but because of the fact that I didnt had a voter ID till now. Yesterday also I didnt had the voter ID. I had applied for Voter ID during this march and till tuesday no official had come for verification to my residence[Of course, we cant expect them to come at the last moment]. I was having the acknowledgement form which I got after submitting the voter information form during march. I had taken it to the booth [despite the fact that my parents were told by some officers that the forms submitted during march and thereafter were blocked at collector office] and asked the officials to check if my name appear in the list which they have. To my surprise, it appeared in the voter list and I recorded my first vote. Eventhough the person is appearing the voter list, just because of the fact that they had not been visited for verification will give an image to citizens that there name will not be probably in the list. Now my concern, is that how many of such votes will become kalla votes?

D-day tomorrow

More than last one month, all the parties were campaigning for the present lok sabha elections. Requesting all of you to franchise your vote. Please dont blindly vote for the party based on the money or things they give as bribery or any other parameter. Consider manifesto released by the parties and accordingly choose the right candidate. If you think no candidates are valuable enough, then use rule 49(O) to inform the same so that ur vote will still get counted.

Advance Happy Mother's Day

Wishing you all advance Happy Mother's Day. [In India, it is celebrated on second Sunday of May]. Thought of sharing the below forwarded mail: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Why Women Cry? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A little boy asked his mother, "Why are you crying?" "Because I'm a woman," she told him. "I don't understand," he said. His Mom just hugged him and said, "And you never will." Later the little boy asked his father, "Why does mother seem to cry for no reason?" "All women cry for no reason," was all his dad could say. The little boy grew up and became a man, still wondering why women cry. Finally he put in a call to God. When God got on the phone, he asked, "God, why do women cry so easily?" God said: "When I made the woman she had to be special. I made her shoulders strong enough to carry the weight of the world, yet gentle enough to give comfort. I gave her an inner strength to endure childbirth and the rejection that many times comes from her children. I gave her a hardness that allows her to keep going when everyone else gives up, and take care of her family through sickness and fatigue without complaining. I gave her the sensitivity to love her children under any and all circumstances, even when her child has hurt her very badly. I gave her strength to carry a man through his faults and fashioned her from his rib to protect his heart. I gave her wisdom to know that a good man never hurts her, but sometimes tests her strengths and her resolve to stand beside him unfalteringly. And finally, I gave her a tear to shed. This is hers exclusively to use whenever it is needed." "You see my son," said God, "the beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman must be seen in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart - the place where love resides."

Violation of laws

India is probably one of the country where laws are meant to be violated in most of the cases. For instance, previous week TN government had reduced the fares of MTC deluxe buses to half the amount to woo the voters as against the conduct guidelines given by EC. Previous week, while I was travelling from Thuraipakkam to Tambaram, I boarded in a deluxe bus and the bus conductor had given me ticket from Kandanchavadi to Tambaram for Rs.5. I was surprised and asked him why is it less? He said athellam kandukka kudathu[literally get transalted to '(you) shouldn't care that']. In this case, government had violated the law. Another case is that we all know that smoking is banned in Public places in India long back but I see many people smoking in public places without any fear. I had seen a person carrying his daughter in one shoulder while on other he was smoking a cigaratte in Tambaram railway station. I wonder if those people do know that smoking is banned in public places. This is just one instance where the law has been violated by an individual. There are many cases where law was/is violated by general public, government officials, etc. I hope it wont be violated in the future atleast.

Ayan @ Prarthana

I had seen the movie Ayan which is the latest release of Sun Pictures @ Prarthana Drive-in theatre last week.. About the movie, I hope there are lot of things gone into research for knowing about the so called kalla kadhathal[illegal movement of goods].. The visuals are really amazing and the songs too.. Surya did a neat job while Prabhu was mind blowing in his role.. Jagan did bagged a good role.. The negative shades of him getting revealed were picturized neatly.. Tamannah didnt exactly have a good role to show her talents[Are we having some good roles for heroines nowadays?] I liked Renuka's[Surya's mother in this movie] acting too.. But the second half was too tiring.. I thought after watching few scenes[like the court scene where villain arrives and one more scene] that the movie will be ended but it extended.. There are few scenes which actually was illogical, but on the whole the movie was worth watching once.. About the theatre, it didnt have good seats[ticket was priced @ Rs.60]. It seems the tickets were Rs.30 prior to Ajith's Billa.. Also the rest rooms were not good at all.. One more issue was that the persons who are coming in car do light up and flash it on the screen which creates a glare..

Iniya Thamizh Puthandhu Nalvazhthugal

Hi All, Wishing you all a very happy Thamizh new year.. Its a bit late[one day] that I am wishing you all a very happy new year.

One more horrible journey today

Today I came by a van to office[Maxi Cab]. Similar to share auto some guys are using the vans for transportation and charging commuters. Condition of vans are so horrible which i came to know when i sat near the driver[front seat].. the speedometer was not working.. also, window glasses and doors were in such a pathetic condition that it will fall out anytime... Dont know what can be done on this issue again..... Will govt. or traffic police take action?

Bitter Journey:(

Last week, when I was travelling to my hometown[Thiruvannamalai - which is hardly 3.5 hrs from Tambaram], bus driver stopped the bus near unknown hotel for dinner. Normally as per the rules I think they shouldnt stop anywhere as it is just 3.5 hrs of journey and also most of the buses to my hometown has been upgraded to Express Bus status. Even if they are stopping they should stop at Mamandur Hotel[which is a government run hotel]. Two of the passengers started fighting with the driver and conductor after they came back for the reason that they had not stopped bus @ Mamandur bcoz the food was not good at the stopped place and its been around 25 minutes time bus was stopped[they will stop for a max of 15 min normally].. Driver was not responding properly.. After bus started off, one of the passenger went near to him and asked for his name with the intention to book a complaint against the driver, he didnt tell the name and stopped the bus in the road. The passenger then came back as other passengers requested the driver to start the bus and asked this passenger to return back. All this fighting between passenger and driver had taken for just 5 min and driver started off the bus as per the request of the other passengers without giving his name. I remain a mute spectator. I found my guilty that I was not able to do anything like going in support to the passenger. I noted down the bus number and it is TN25 N 0057. When I informed this incident to my friend and one of relative both they told that nothing would happend even if you complain.. Also it seems that the drivers are stopping at unknown places just because of the fact that they will get free food from that hotel... Any suggestions if something can be done on this??

Elections are ahead

Elections are barely 20 days ahead. Requesting you all eligible citizens to vote without fail. If you are not voting you dont have the eligibility to criticise the government. Do vote and select appropriate candidates after which you cannot feel for not voting. If you are not able to find eligible candidate for whom you can vote, you can use 49-O rule which tells you are not voting anyone thereby avoiding "kalla votes". For more information on 49-O, visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/49-O

Unhealthy Trend

Came to know that there are lot of dubbed movies[Originally in Telugu] to be released in Thamizh sooner. Here are some lists. Tholi Valappu as Hari, Kotha Katha as Puthu Kathai, Naa Ayina Chanti Pillodu as Neeya Naana, Naa Anevaadu as Vasu, King as Pattukkottai Azhagiri and Chingaari as Peyar Sandya, Thozhil Dasi[Original in Hindi]. Main reason which forces producers to go for dubbing is getting a dubbing rights would be much cheaper than getting a remake rights or for that matter to produce a new movie that too during these recession times. Also, it is not story which determines the hero, but the hero who determines the story especially in Tamil Industry or Southern Industry. There are few exceptional heroes who still depends on the storyline like Surya, Vikram, Prasanna among others. Better solution to put a full stop to this issue is make movies with moderate or low budgets and be sure to have a faith on storyline and screenplay rather than depending of star power because out of more than hundred tamil films released last year, only less than 20 films are superhits and made their producers profitable of which many are small budgeted movies with strong script.

My Weekend

I had watched two movies on this weekend. One is Padikathavan starring Dhanush as a lead and the other Arundhathi starring Anushka as the lead. Both are of different genres. First - Arundhathi It is a thriller movie spanning over 2 decades. Anushka dons double role for the first time in her career and has done her best. Eventhough veterans like Manorama and many others are there,it is mainly she who is present all over the movie and does proves her skills. Sonu sood plays the baddie. Be it dance, acting, Anushka excels!! Actually I had seen the dubbed version[Thamizh] of the original. I think the original would be surely better than this. Dubbing voice was not apt for Anushka in Thamizh version. The story has several loopholes like the concept of punar janma, pretatma but still it makes you glued to the screen and does not let your mind to trigger such questions till the end of the movie. Secondly about Padikkathavan nothing much special to speak about. It's just another commercial movie. Hero is illiterate who has an ambition in life to love and marry a well-educated woman[Good Aim indeed!!] just because he is teased by his father for not passing 10th standard. Acting wise, there is not enough scope for anyone except Dhanush[for action and comedy sequences] and Vivek. Actor Tamannah was indeed good in both Happy days and Kalloori. But she is here just for dance sequences. Anyways, we can't except anything more than this for a hero-oriented movie. Padikkathavan was released by Sun Pictures. Till date whatever movies released by Sun Pictures are all commercial movies and I hope all the films were atleast profitable because of Sun Network. Hope Ayan will be different from Sun Pictures's other releases. Entrance of Raj TV Production will slightly pressurize Sun Pictures. As Sun Pictures and Raj TV has their strong base in TamilNadu having many channels under their company, they can make a film a decent hit. They should also come forward for taking experimental movies. Atleast 20-30% of the films they produce every year should be experimental. This will pave a way for encouraging fresh talents as well as give a relief to people who really appreciates different movies nowadays.

Coimbatore Trip

I started from my hometown yesterday morning to Coimbatore. I went to Salem and then catched a bus from there to Kovai. When I entered Kovai, I could feel the chillness which would not be there in Chennai or in my hometown, Tiruvannamalai. I reached Gandhipuram[Kovai bus stand] and from there took a city bus to reach the reception hall of my Friend's brother marriage. There were lot of changes in Coimbatore now. Be it new city buses[|||lr to blue board buses in Chennai] or IT Parks[I had only seen few IT Parks on the way I travelled], etc. Coimbatore had already become second largest city after Chennai in TamilNadu to have such developments in IT Field or industrial related ones. I met few of my old room mates from Hyderabad also and it was really fun talking with them after long time. Also I met few of my college class mates. Started off from there by 10.00 PM by bus[Jayam Renugambal] and reached Chennai today morning @ 9.00 AM. Bus was not quite good. Be it seating arrangement, maintainance, time management. Actually bus should have started by 9.45 PM yesterday and reached 6.45 AM but then everything changed when they started very late and not taking NH highway road for travelling[Had taken some unknown small roads].

Back to Coimbatore this week after long time

I had studied my Engineering in Coimbatore. I am going to Kovai this weekend for a marriage. Hope I will enjoy the trip because it's been almost 3 years after which i am going now. The last time I went was for the convocation ceremony on May 2006. Four years when I was there studying in Kovai @ PSG College of Technology were memorable ones and I had learnt a lot over there from how to behave in public to stay away from home apart from my technical skills. Will update you on the trip once I am back.

Weekend @ Marina and Besant Nagar Beach

After a long time I had a chance to go to Marina Beach on saturday. It was pleasent to see and hear Sea waves and the sound that the waves make. I stood in the waves for 5 minutes and then came back. I went along with my friend. I was really happy that I could go to the beach and I think it's my 5th or 6th visit to the beach. Not more than 6th I am sure about. About Besant nagar[I went yesterday], truly speaking I didnt like the experience because first the beach was very small and it is mainly occupied by shops[if government can remove few shops which stretches near even the sea shore it will be better] and second that the place was not clean as compared to Marina. Also, there were more crowd. And I had a bitter experience in Marina. Transgender came and asked for money and had taken Rs.15 from me. This is the first time ever I face such situation in Marina beach. I used to face similar problem when I was travelling to Hyderabad by train from Chennai previously when I was working there. I dont know if these transgenders whether they will change eventhough our TN government are bringing many programmes[right from introducing new sex column to giving seats to them in college to what not] for them.. I could understand their problems but when they actually irritates us, its just anger which is more on them than sympathy.. I wish they should change in near future. Looking for a better future which will be good for both us and them..

Samsaram adhu minsaram

Got to see the movie 'Samsaram adhu Minsaram'[Released in 1986] yesterday in KTV. One of the real life movie about the joint family system and its issues of 80's. It could be even more better if it's said as a classic movie. Story is about how people in the joint family have their own views and the problem being raised as a result of this. Eventhough the movie is an out n out Visu movie, there is one person scores better than Visu and its none other than Veteran and national award winning actress Lakshmi. That too her acting at the climax is one of the highlights of the film. Everyone right from Visu, Manorama, Kamala kamesh, Raghuvaran, Chandrasekar, Delhi Ganesh, Kishmu done their part very well and the movie gives a feel as if we were one of the family member in that family for 2.5 hrs. I feel the talents of Manorama, Lakshmi have not been utilised to full extent. I am not aware of their performances in other languages but atleast in Tamil, I feel so. They are spontaneous actors. Regarding music, the soundtracks are really good. Most probably it would be our Maestro Ilayaraja only. Who else was there during 1980's and 1990's in the south film industry other than him giving such good music.. The comedy track is not separate, but along with movie and it pays well.

FM Stations in my hometown

Last weekend when I went to my hometown Thiruvannamalai I was surprised to hear that the FM stations available in Chennai are now in TVM[Thiruvannamalai]. Actually, I was thinking about this for a while after I got transferred to Chennai from Hyderabad that city people are enjoying not only entertainment but also get to hear some good programmes like 'Aahaa coffee club' hosted by Chinmayi @ Aahaa FM, 'Vanakkam Chennai' hosted by Gopinath @ Radio City FM or fun programmes in Hello FM especially 'Bigil' hosted by Suresh. But for now, this seems to be of no worry because they are available. Thought of sharing the same..

Madras Bashai

We would have probably liked the Madras Bashai(Madras Slang of Tamil) in many movies by Kamalhassan, veteran Manorama or many. It is very famous among the tamil speaking people largely I hope. On the other day one of my friend was telling that he gets irritated when he hears madras bashai because it is like an insult to Thamizh(Tamil) language. I was telling each and every slang has its own sweetness. I came across a page for Madras bashai in Wikipedia(I am posting this thinking many of you had probably not visited) and the article states that Madras bashai is a mix of Tamil predominantly with English and slighter mix of Telugu, Kannada and Hindi. You can check the same in the below website http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madras_bashai

Global Warming

Global warming is gaining importance and nowadays many people started to speak about that. I feel each and everyone should take responsibility and try to reduce the use of things which causes the global warming. Main factors of the global warming are electricity, emission of CO by vehicles and so on. We can reduce the use electricity by minimal use of heaters, switching off monitors when computer not in use, use stairs to climb instead of lift, car pooling etc. I hope you people have seen 'An inconvenient truth' by Al Gore, an Academy award winning documentary which deals with global warming. A good documentary indeed that clearly communicates on what global warming is, causes and how to avoid. Below is the official site of that documentary. http://www.climatecrisis.net/ Pass on this to all of ur friends and hope we, younger generation try to follow and reduce global warming so that we will look forward for a greener future!!

Know about my hometown

ARUNACHALESWARAR TEMPLE:

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The temple at Tiruvannamalai is one of the biggest and grandest temples in South India. With the hill as back ground it gives the appearance of a fort to those who see it from a distance. It is unique on account of its stately towers, high rampart walls, broad quadrangles, spacious gateways, large mantapams and fine tanks. It has also much architectural importance and sculputural beauty.

Tiruvannamalai should have been under the sway of the Pallava Kings who ruled from Kancheepuram before the ninth century A.D. We do not find any inscription in the temple prior to A.D.850 and hence the present temple could not have existed then. Saint Sambandar in his Thevaram relating to this place mentions a temple. Saints Appar and Sambandar belonged to the Seventh Century, Sekkizhar, the renowned author of Periapuranam mentions that both the Saints Appar and Sambandar worshipped Arunchaleswarar in the hill Temple. The Chola Kings ruled over the country for more than four Centuries from 850 A.D. to 1280 A.D. Some earlier Kings of Vijayalaya dynasty must have begun to construct the inner shrine(Garbegraha). In the fourteenth Century the Hoysala Kings had their capital at Tiruvannamalai. Afterwards the Kings of Vijayanagar and Nayak Kings of Thanjavur ruled over this part of the Country. In the Seventeenth Century it came under the sway of the Nawabs of Carnatic. There was confusion and chaos after A.D. 1753. Muraru Raya, Krishna Raya, Mrithis Ali Khan, Burkat Ullakhan, French Soupries and Sambrinet, English Captain Stephen Smith besieged this place and had their successes and defeats. In A.D. 1790 it was captured by Tippu Sultan. During the first half of the nineteenth century it came under the British rule.

The Temple is situated east at the bottom of the hill half a mile west of the Railway Station. It faces East. It has got four stately towers on all the four sides and four high stone walls just like the rampart walls of a fort. The Eastern Tower called the Rajagopuram is the Highest. The Southern tower is called Thirumanjangopuram, that iin the west is called Peygopuram and that in the north is called Ammaniamma Gopuram. The temple occupies an extent of about 25 acres of land. The walls on the East and West measure 700 feet each. The South wall is 1479 feet long and North wall is 1590 feet. The Rajagopuram which adorns the East Gateway is 217 feet high with 11 storeys, its base measure 135 feet by 98 feet. This tower was built by King Krishna Devaraya of Vijayanagar and completed by Sevappa Nayaka of Thanjavur. Krishna Devaraya also constructed the Thousand Pillared Mantapam and dug the tank opposite to it . Ammani Ammal a Sanyasini built the North Gopuram which is called after her name. The towers, the pillars in the Mantapams and Vimananms consist of figures of Sculptures Excellence. In the side walls of the Entrance of East Gopuram there are dance poses and figures of Bewitching Beauty. Generally stone-Idols are fixed with what is called "Ashtabandana". But in this case it is "Swarnabandana" (Gold) which is of Special Importance. There are five inner rounds. Including what is called Madavilagam running just outside the temple walls and the four car streets and the path round the Giri the temple is said to have Seven Prakaras.

Source: http://www.tiruvannamalai.nic.in/. You can find more information on the mentioned website.

Best Documentary Award(Short) for 2009 - Smile Pinki

This small budgeted film directed and produced by Emmy award winner Megan Mylan shows the problem faced by a girl child for the cleft lip and the surgery that has been done by Smile Train[Voluntary group] at free of cost went unnoticed when compared to Slumdog's publicity until it was shortlisted for Academy awards. But now it had won Best Documentary Award for short film lets hope that children with similar issues as Pinki would be getting proper treatment.

ARRahman becomes first Indian to win two Oscar in a single year

Mr.ARRahman bagged 2 Oscars in a Single year one for 'Best Original Score' and second for 'Best song' for the film 'Slumdog Millionare'. He became the first ever Indian to win 2 Oscars on a single year. He is also the fourth Indian to win this award. Mr.Rasul Pookutty[Third Indian to win this award] won the award for Best sound mixing category for the same film. First Indian to get Oscar was Ms.Bhanu Athaiya for Best Costume Design and the film was Gandhi in 1982. Second Indian was Mr.Satyajit Ray in 1992 for his contribution towards Indian Cinema. But the award was a Honarary one. Courtesy: ibnlive.in.com, Wikipedia