St. Thomas Mount, Chennai

Historically speaking, the commencement of Christianity in India is credited to St Thomas. Saint Thomas spread the 'Good Word' among the South Indians. However, some critical circumstances led him to take refuge in the fabled Little Mount. Later, while he was on his way to Little Mount, about 3 km away, he was martyred and that place is still remember for him and aptly called St. Thomas Mount. It is located in Parangimalai and happens to be one of the most attractive spots for tourists as well as for religious devotees in Chennai. People on a holy pilgrimage to India include the other churches along with St Thomas Mount on their itinerary. The oil paintings found here are also worth a look, especially the one that St. Thomas brought with him and was drawn by his fellow apostle Luke. The church was reconstructed in the 16th century.

Arignar Anna Zoological Park, Chennai

The Arignar Anna Zoological Park of Chennai is one of the most contemporary zoos of the country as well as of South East Asia. Situated in the Vandalur area of the Kanchipuram district, the Arignar Anna Zoological Park is about 35 kilometers from the metropolitan city. 

Arignar Anna Zoological Park of Chennai was first established in 1855. But it was shifted to the southern metropolitan area called Vandalur reserved forests in the year 1979. The Arignar Anna Zoological Park in Chennai was officially opened to public in 1985. The Chennai Arignar Anna Zoological Park covers 510 hectares of land and is one of the biggest in south-east Asia.

Arignar Anna Zoological Park of Chennai shelters more than 170 species of animals that wander about independently in a man-made island enclosure. The invisible walls and imitated natural ambiance of the Arignar Anna Zoological Park is almost impalpable to the animal species residing in the park. The dry deciduous forests surrounding the Vandalur region is the ideal breeding ground for these animals.

The Arignar Anna Zoological Park at Chennai comprises of the following:

• More than 170 species of wild animals
• Elephant rides
• Lion Safari
• Battery operated vehicle rides.

The animal species inhabiting the Arignar Anna Zoological Park at Chennai include the following:

• Tiger
• Hyena
• Jaguar
• Lion
• Wolf
• Panther
• Jackal
• Elephants
• Sambar
• Giraffes
• Camels
• Nilgai
• Barking Deer
• Blackbuck
• Hog Deer
• Sangai
• Hog Deer
• Baboon
• Otter
• Hanuman Langur
• Lion-tailed Macaque
• Leaf-capped Langur and more.

The Arignar Anna Zoological Park also has a library with good collection of wildlife related books and information. The Arignar Anna Zoological Park of Chennai is open throughout the week except Tuesdays. The daily visiting hours of the Chennai Arignar Anna Zoological Park are from 8.00 am to 3.00 pm.

Naiyaandi Music will be soon

Dhanush and Nazriya Nazim staring Naiyaandi's Music will be released soon said the officials.

This movie is wriiten and directed by Sarkunam and produced by Karthiresan. Ghibran is composing music for this film who has already done for the movies Vaagai Sooda Vaa, Vathikuchi and Kutti Puli and upcoming movie of Vishwaroopam-2.

Ban on teachers using mobile in classroom

Puducherry, Sep 19: The Puducherry administration has imposed a ban on teachers using cell phones inside the class rooms. Acording to a circular from the Education Department to all government schools and government aided schools here,all the teachers should deposit their cellphones with the head master immediately after entering the school. A team constituted would periodically check whether teachers are using cell phones inside the class rooms and if anybody was found violating the rule,stringent action would be initiated against them.

Thala Ajith’s Evergreen Friend roped in for Veeram

Ramesh Khanna will be seen in a substantial role in the Ajith starrer Veeram and the veteran actor is thrilled to be back in an Ajith film as his friend, after being a part of many Ajith films such as Villain, Amarkalam, Anjaneya and Varalaru to name a few. He was even labeled as the 'Evergreen Friend' in the title cards of Anjaneya.

Interview with ADGP Karuna Sagar IPS

I am very passionate about equality before law

Shri. Karuna Sagar is the Additional Commissioner of Police, Traffic, Chennai. He joined Indian Police Service in 1991 and presently heads the Traffic wing of Chennai police.



He has held several positions including that of DIG of Police, Crime Branch CID; Chennai, DIG of Police, Armed Police, Chennai; Commissioner of Police, Thirunelveli; and Commissioner of Police, Trichy.

In an exclusive interview with Marie Banu, Shri Karuna Sagar IPS talks about his passion towards social causes.

What motivated you to become a police officer?

Basically, I come from Bihar. We have seen what a good law and order can do to a State and what a bad law and order can do. I was very interested since my early school days to join the Indian Police Service, since I thought that police has a big role in terms of being a social changer; creating a consumer atmosphere; and creating a society where there is equality of law. 

We recently saw a discussion on whether Sanjay Dutt can be relieved from punishment. You can have sympathy for one person, but law has to be blind. If you are talking about one individual, what about the human rights of those who have been convicted earlier? 

I think IPS gives you an excellent platform to transform your ideas into concrete action, and that is the reason why I wanted to join. 

What did you study in College?

I did my Graduation as well as Post-graduation in History from Delhi University. History is a subject I am very passionate about. Because, it tells you everything that happens in society—all the changes, all the events, all the developments, and the progression in society is chronicled in History. I consider it as a holistic subject that gives you a perspective of many things – science, art, literature, social developments. 

Which of the social issues are you passionate about?

I am very passionate about equality before law. Wherever I take charge, the first thing I tell my officers is that the weaker section of the society (whether they are minorities or SC or ST or women or elderly or disabled or those who are somehow disadvantaged in the social system), should be given due protection and we have to be very proactive. 

I am very passionate about social issues. In fact, all my readings are books that deal with social issues. I am very alive about what is happening in society and I closely watch. 

Police and Social work – Your thoughts?

I think that policing is a tool to do something good for the society as a whole. It is a very strong mechanism where you can deliver. You can make sure that a rape victim gets quick and correct justice; and we can interfere when an old man or old woman is badly treated by his or her children.  The kind of interference powers that police have is phenomenal and we can do tremendous amount of social work by being in the police.

In case of any natural or man-made disaster, it is the policemen who are the first to engage in rescue operations. Is there any ongoing disaster preparedness programme that your department engages in?

We do coordinate disaster management programs for our department from time to time. But, the way we have been trained to work, we know how to respond to a disaster. For instance, if a flood or tsunami occurs, the policeman is going to be first person to respond. In case of a fire accident, even before the fire tender reaches the spot, the policeman arrives here. So, we know that we are the first responders. Being the first responders there are certain kind of actions which is expected of us, and those things we do.

There is a lot of talk about Disaster Management. The State and the Central Government have a Disaster Management committee and there is a National Disaster Management Force which is now operational all over our country. A structured force is always welcome, but to cover one lakh police force in Tamil Nadu will take some time. 

The city traffic is chaos during peak hours, and more during school hours. Do you think that like school uniform and common syllabus a compulsory school bus service could make the traffic scene better at least for the school going children?

Actually, that is a wonderful idea! The schools today are established in busy localities. They were established 20 or 30 years back. For example, Don Bosco at Egmore, there is no space for parking except on the road. So, when the parents come to drop and pick up their children there is traffic congestion.

If you take one car, you will be taking one student; whereas one bus can carry 50 to 60 students. It is to that extent we can reduce congestion and a bus may take the space of three cars. Therefore, it is a very logical idea.  It makes all the sense in an urban living today. We are talking about car pools for gentlemen who are in services. So, for children to have a mass transportation system is absolutely the best thing to happen. 

Unfortunately, the Traffic Police cannot enforce this rule as I do not have the powers. The decision has to be taken by the school management and the authorities. 

About the health of the policemen, especially police women who serve on bandobust duty for several hours with no proper toilets nearby. What steps have been taken by your department to address this issue?
 
For women, the toilet access is definitely an issue. But, there are posted only for a short time. I don’t have regular women manning the traffic. It is only during major bandobust that we assign them. At the most, they would spend two to three hours a day.  We arrange to pick them up and dropped them back to their place of duty.

More so, the women traffic police are aged between 21 to 25 years. They are young, smart, and physically fit. They are from the Tamil Nadu special police and have just joined the force.  

For the other traffic police—we are providing them with buttermilk twice a day and giving them pith hats so that they do not suffer from heatstroke. I am also trying to revamp my traffic umbrellas so that they are better. The signal controls will be transferred to the umbrellas so that the policeman can sit and man the traffic.

Your advice for social workers?

One of my passions is Social Work. I think that the whole NGO system is extremely important. They should be above pettiness, above corruption, and deliver the goods. Because, they have been tasked to deliver the goods where the governments’ reach does not transcend.

Right now, at my level, I do small things with the help of other NGOs. In the future, I plan to involve myself in Social Work in a big way.

I wish the NGOs all the luck and hope they continue doing a good job.

Ultimate Star : Title of Ajith Kumar soon !!!

Ajith Kumar's untitled next directed by Vishnuvardhan is fast proceeding with the shooting. Right now, the film's climax is being shot across the exotic locales of Kulu Manali and with this, the entire project comes to an end. The sources closer to the team convey that the title will be unveiled by end of this month. The film is a superb thriller with Ajith Kumar playing the role of an intelligence officer while Arya, Nayanthara, Tapsee and Rana Daggubati are the others in the cast.

MK asks TN govt to act immediately on Katchatheevu

Chennai, Sep 11: 

DMK President M Karunanidhi today said the Tamil Nadu government should file a counter in the Supreme Court along with the documents proposed to be handed over to it by the heirs of the Ramanathapuram Zamin who claimed their dynasty owned the controversial Kachatheevu Island. Replying to questions, Mr Karunanidhi, quoting Princess RBK Rajeswari Natchiyar, the present head of the Ramanathapuram Zamin Family which owned the island once, said all documents under the possession of the family said they were the sole owners of the islet. She said they only thought about the welfare of the fishermen when they allowed them to make use of the islet.

The documents relating to the family ownership had even been handed over to the External Affairs Secretary in 1968. Even Kumar Sethupathi, another member of the Royal Family, had said all historical data proved the islet was part of the Sethupathi Dynasty. Hence, the Tamil Nadu government should collect all the documents and submit them before the Supreme Court immediately, Mr Karunanidhi said. Katchatheevu, a 285-acre islet situated 17 km north east of Rameswaram, had become a bone of contention between the state government and the Centre. The Union Government's submission to the Supreme Court that Katchatheevu was never a part of India has upset the entire fishing community in coastal Tamil Nadu as well as all political parties in the State.

Rajni fans get 'taste' of their idol's next much-awaited flick

Chennai, Sep 9: 

Starved of a film to watch of their screen idol, Rajnikanth, it was time to celebrate for the Tamil super stars' lakhs of fans as the trailer of his forthcomig film 'Kochadaiiyan', was released on Facebook today. Bollywood actors Deepika Padukone and Jackie Shrof also play key roles, the former as Rajni's heroine.

Rajni himself plays father and son. The film's mixing, recording, re-recording, computer graphics and other works before it is released by the end of this year, are going on briskly, according to the charismatic actor's younger daughter Soundarya Rajnikanth Aswin, who is its Direcotr along with veteran K S Ravikumar. Kochadaiiyan is a fictionalised character of a Dravieian king by that name.

The trailer was reeased at 0930 hrs and drew instant response from Rajni's fans, who had last seen him working his customary fireworks, as it were, in Director Shankar's Scence fiction film 'Yanthiran'(Robot) two years back. Rajni, who appears younger, healthier and photorealistic in the trailer, impressed his fans, according to Kollywood sources.

He has done this film after recovering from sickness and treatment abroad when he fell sick during the mahurat of a new film 'Rana', after 'Robot', two years ago. The film, a full fledged commercial, according to Soundarya, is the first photorealistic 3 D produced in India through motion picture and performance facture. Sarath Kumar, Nasser, Shobana , Adi and Rukmini are the other important stars in the film.

Veeram and Jilla at Pongal

Ajith's 'Arrambam' has been finished upto 90% and it is confirmed to be released on Diwali. And his another movie 'Veeram' is planned to be released on Pongal. From this planning many of the films got problem to be released on these two big days

From those movies 'Jilla' is also included. 'Jilla' was planned to be released on Pongal, but now 'Veeram' is going to be released on that day. So the team 'Jilla' planned to release the movie after the Pongal.

Mother Teresa remembered

Puducherry, Sep 5 : Floral tributes were paid to Mother Teresa on her 16th death anniversary here today.

Puducherry Chief Minister N Rangasamy, his Cabinet colleagues and senior officials of the territorial administration garlanded a statue of Mother Teresa on behalf of the government to mark the occasion. Volunteers of several Christian organisations also garladed the statue to mark the occasion.

Students thanks Jayalalitha

Students and teachers from Government arts college thanked Chief Minister Jayalalitha for selecting students and sending them the foreign university to persue their higher studies.  The press release from the Government says that, The government wanted its students especially financially backward students and teachers need to attain world class education. Students and teachers went past various selection process 14 students and 3 teachers have been selected in the first batch.

3 Hunters held for unlawful poaching of peacocks for meat

Ramanathapuram, Sep 1: Tamil Nadu forest officials have arrested a three-member gang for illegal poaching of peacocks and Peahens at a forest near Uthirakosamangai in this Southern district, today. Acting on a tip-off that the national birds were hunted for their meat and feathers, an official team of State forest team conducted a raid in the forest and arrested the trio Christopher (35), Charles (43) and Ergovin (34). However, three other members of the gang managed to give a slip to the officials. The officials seized carcasses of four Peacocks and six live Peacocks and Peahens.

Their feathers were found removed. The gang confessed to poaching the birds with an intention to sell their meat to various hotels and regular customers at a rate of Rs 700 per kilogram meat. The officials seized spotlights, nets, three motorcycles and knives from the gang. The rescued six birds were sent to the Government Veterinary Hospital at Keezhakkarai for treatment. A case has been registered against all six and a search is on for three hunters, who were absconding. The national birds are protected under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972 and poachers could be sentenced up to seven years imprisonment with a fine of Rs 50,000.

Wildlife officials seize 200 Kgs Sea Cucumbers, 1 held

Ramanathapuram, Tamilnadu, Sep 1: Tamil Nadu Wildlife officials have seized 200 kg of Sea Cucumbers, an endangered marine species meant to be smuggled out to Sri Lanka, at Mandapam coast, here today. Official sources said during a routine patrol, the officials of Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park, Mandapam apprehended a fisherman identified as Muniyandi on suspicion and effected the seizure. The Sea Cucumbers were packed in a gunny bag. A case was registered against the fisherman under the Wildlife Protection Act, the sources added. Sea Cucumbers are in great demand not only as delicacy, but also used for preparing traditional medicines in countries like China, Taiwan, Japan, Singapore etc. The marine species, listed in Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 was also prohibited under International law and poaching of these species was banned in India and several foreign countries.

-Agencies