Madurai Region Projects II

[madurakarenda]

[madurakarenda]

[madurakarenda]

மாநகராட்சி மார்க்கெட், வாகன நிறுத்தத்திற்கு மார்ச் மாதத்தில் ஏலம்

மதுரை: மாநகராட்சி மார்க்கெட், வாகன நிறுத்துமிடங்கள் 3 ஆண்டுக்கு பிறகு மார்ச்சில் ஏலம் விடப்படுகின்றன. இதில் கடும் போட்டி ஏற்பட்டுள்ளதால், மாநகராட்சிக்கு அதிக வருவாய் கிடைக்க வாய்ப்புள்ளது. முறைகேட்டை தடுக்க கோரிக்கை எழுந்துள்ளது.
மதுரை மாநகராட்சிக்கு சொந்தமான மார்க்கெட், வாகன நிறுத்துமிடங்கள், புல் பண்ணை, நவீன கழிப்பிடங்கள் ஆகியவற்றுக்கு ஆண்டுதோறும் ஏலம் என்றிருந்த நிலை மாற்றம் செய்யப்பட்டு, 3 ஆண்டுக்கு ஒரு முறை ஏலம் நடத்தப்படுகிறது. இதன்படி ஏலத் தொகையில் ஆண்டுக்கு 5 சதவீதம் உயர்த்தி வசூலிக்கப்பட்டது.
தற்போதுள்ள ஏல உரிமங்களின் அனுமதிகாலம் வரும் மார்ச் மாதத்துடன் முடிகிறது. 3 ஆண்டுக்கு பிறகு ஏலம் நடத்தப்பட உள் ளது. மாநகராட்சி எல்கை விரிவாக்கம் செய்யப்பட்ட பிறகு முதன் முறையாக ஏலம் நடைபெற இருப்பதால், புதிதாக இணைக்கப்பட்ட திருப்பரங்குன்றம், அவனியாபுரம், ஆனையூர் நகராட்சி, திருநகர், ஆர்வி.பட்டி, விளாங்குடி பேரூராட்சிகள், 11 ஊராட்சி பகுதிகளிலுள்ள ஏலங்களும் மாநகராட்சி ஏலத்தில் சேர்க்கப்பட்டுள்ளன.
இதுகுறித்து ஆணையா ளர் சவுந்திரராஜன் கூறுகையில், “ ஏலம் விடுவதற்காக சுமார் 60 இனங்களின் பட்டியல் தயாராகி உள்ளன. இதன் விவரம் விரைவில் அறிவிக்கப்பட்டு, மார்ச் மாதம் ஏலம் நடைபெறும். மாநகராட்சியின் முதற்கட்ட ஏல நிர்ணய தொகை, முந்திய தொகையை விட குறையாது“என்றார்.
மாநகராட்சி நிதி பற்றாக்குறையால் திணறுகிறது. மார்க்கெட், வாகன நிறுத்துமிடங்கள் உள்ளிட்ட ஏலங்களுக்கு கடும் போட்டி நிலவுகிறது. இதை பயன்படுத்தி ஏலங்கள் முறையாக நடைபெற்றால், ஏல தொகை அதிகரித்து, மாநகராட்சிக்கு கூடுதல் வருவாய் கிடைக்க வாய்ப்புள்ளது. இல்லாவிட்டால் மாநகராட்சிக்கு வர வேண்டிய வருவாய் கடுமையாக பாதிக்கும் என கவுன்சிலர்கள் தெரிவித்தனர்.
சென்ட்ரல் மார்க்கெட் மீனாட்சி அம்மன் கோயில் அருகில் இருந்தவரை, ஏலம் விடப்பட்டு வந்தது. 2 ஆண்டுக்கு முன் இந்த மார்க்கெட் மாட்டுத்தாவணிக்கு மாற்றம் செய்யப்பட்டபோது, காய்கறி வியாபாரிகளின் கோரிக்கையை ஏற்று ஏலமுறை ரத்து செய்யப்பட்டது. மார்க்கெட் கடைகளில் மாத வாடகை நிர்ணயித்து, மாநகராட்சியே நேரடியாக வாடகை வசூ லித்து வருகிறது. எனவே மாட்டுத் தாவணி சென்ட் ரல் மார்க்கெட் ஏலத்துக்கு வராது என கூறப்படுகிறது. மாநகராட்சி மன்ற கூட் டத்தை மேயர் ராஜன்செல்லப்பா வரும் 29ம் தேதி கூட்டி உள்ளார். இதில் ஏலம் விடும் இனங்களின் பட்டியலுக்கு ஒப்புதல் பெறப்படும் என தெரிகிறது.


http://www.dinakaran.com/District_De...=12010&cat=504

Let us hope for good revenue for the expanded Corporation and good spending of that for betterment of infra atleast this time.

[Madurai gilli]

The second edition of Madurai Vizha, a three-day cultural extravaganza, starts on Friday promising a slice of what the city was and is
Here is a chance to be a tourist in your own city, as Madurai Vizha — 2012 returns for the second successive year packed with more information and knowledge sharing, fun and entertainment, competitions and culturals.

Says Shyam Prakash Gupta, CII Chairman for the Madurai Zone, which is driving the show, “Our ancient city is an inspiration for those who live in and visit it. Through this effort, we are acknowledging the interaction between culture and tourism. We aim to achieve the appealing essence of preserving the culture for posterity and take the inclusive growth through next level of tourism. The three days of celebration will showcase everything that Madurai has to offer.''

The Tamukkam Grounds will be the hub of breezy activity till Sunday night, combining fine and functional arts. From craft, cuisine, songs and cinema to history, heritage, literature and folk arts, the umbrella event organized by the Confederation of Indian Industries will embrace all. You can wallow in nostalgia or savour a slice of the city that it is today.

You can walk through Kalachara Veedis that will transport you to a bygone era. On all the days, 30 artisans will take out hourly processions and their continuous performances will include mayilattam, karagattam, kavadi attam, thappattam, thavil, bommai and nadaswaram and more. If that is not enough, step into Nan Mada Koodal, a special hall mounted with sepia-toned photos and other effects to give a virtual feel of 19th century Madurai.

In the maiden festival last year, local traditions turned out to be most attractive to carnival visitors. Notes Organising Committee Chairperson Uma Kannan, “This year we have expanded with more activities and workshops for children, youths and adults, bringing together a rich variety of distinct traditional crafts, performing and visual arts, values, and lifestyle of the past and the contemporary. Madurai Vizha is a one-stop arena where elders will feel nostalgic and the youngsters will have the opportunity to know and appreciate the traditions and culture gradually vanishing.”

Giving due importance to the confluence of the old and the new, the cultural rewind will not only showcase the people skilled in traditional forms of arts and crafts, asserts Uma Kannan, but also create new markets and value for them. “They are our living treasures, a vital link to the past.”

The organizing committee this year will also recognize local artisans and reward them along with other prominent citizens who have contributed to the city's growth in the field of art, music, industry and archaeology. Says Dr. G. Vasudevan, Convener of CII Culture, Arts and Tourism panel, “We are catalysts. By pooling together historical, cultural and environmental heritage, we should be able to create a close bond with the city. People should enjoy this festival and feel that the city is theirs. Through all the projections, the city should trigger creativity and we want more people to participate.”

The organizers are also working to motivate youngsters to participate. That is how young graphics designer Gaurie Gupta came up with an innovative idea called “Madurai Meena – the traveling doll”. Meena is a hand-painted wooden doll representing a typical 10-year-old Madurai girl dressed in pattu-pavadai, wearing bangles and jasmine flowers and sporting a bindi. The mascot will be launched today evening at the inauguration of the Madurai Vizha. After that she will begin her journey across the world as the city's ambassador (see box). Gaurie's wish is, “If Barbie can take the world by storm, so can Madurai Meena.”

Over this weekend, the city's cultural cauldron will be thrown open for an all-out celebration with a permanent food court selling regional and traditional culinary delights. Besides, traditional games like silambattam, uri, vazhukkumaram will be played and contests in kolam drawing, traditional fancy costume, hair dressing and cooking will be conducted simultaneously for different age groups. Nearly 70 stalls are exhibiting old artifacts, antique jewellery, old musical instruments, wood inlays, puppets and ancient literature. Pattimandram and villupattu (traditional storytelling sessions by senior citizens) and folk dances are the other attractions.

While Tamukkam Grounds will strum and hum with music, experts will conduct three-day workshops on paper bags and paper flower making, Madurai malli tying, artificial jewellery making, batik painting, Tanjore art, kalamkari and kolam drawing, pottery, sculpture, mat and basket weaving, making of jute products, and making of golu bommai. Registration fee per participant is Rs.1,000 inclusive of all material.

Madurai, like many cities, is a living heritage and the Vizha is a reminder that we need to protect that heritage. The festival, epitomizing a mesmerizing past and the myriad-hued present, will perhaps help us rediscover our spaces in the city and catch all in its spell. Open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. from February 24 to 26. Entry ticket Rs.10 per head.

Highlights

Interaction with Gaurav, who directed the film “Thoonganagaram”, and actor-comedian Vivek, who will speak on the importance of protecting heritage

Pattimandram by Dr. Gnanasambandan on ‘Does the community benefit or get spoilt by modern communication gadgets?'

Cooking demo by TV personality Revathy Shanmugam

Inauguration of festival by the Mayor, Mr. Rajan Chellappa, and Mr. Rajesh Das, IPS, IG of Police, South Zone, TN, on Friday evening

Valedictory address by TN Minister of Tourism Mrs. S. Gokula Indira on Sunday evening

Madurai Meena

Twenty packages designed by Gaurie Gupta will contain the hand painted wooden doll called Meena attired in Madurai style along with an info guide on the city and an instruction booklet. To begin with, these will be sent to 20 individuals in different countries. Each receiver is required to take a photo of Meena and herself/himself in front of any famous landmark and either upload or send the photo to the designer. The host will send back a thank you card and picture post-card of Madurai while the receiver will have to re-pack the doll and forward to any other friend in another city/country.

This way a chain of friends who host Madurai Meena across the world will be created. An interest in Meena's journey will also mean an interest in her life, culture and hometown which will be linked to website www.maduraitourism.info and Meena will become Madurai's ambassador to the world.

“Recognition of Excellence Awards”

Under the category: Bharatanatyam, Temple Arts, Puppetry, Agamas and Vedas, Wood craft, Tamil Isai, Carnatic Music – Veena, Epigraphy & Archaeology, Modern Painting, Tamil Literature, Carnatic Music – Nadaswaram, Promoting Madurai through – Art, Popularizing Madurai’s History & Heritage, Art - Abstract Painting, Carnatic Music – Nadhaswaram, Carnatic Music - Mridangam, Tamil Theatre, Development of Golu Bommai Industry, Tamil Theatre Promotion & Preservation of Folk Arts, Community based rehabilitation, Epigraphy and Archaeology, Promotion of Ayurveda, “Sight for every one”, Tamil Literature

http://www.thehindu.com/arts/history...cle2924460.ece

[Madurai gilli]

But for Mohammed Salim's prodding, I would have never explored Sirumalai, the way it should be. A businessman and owner of a resort in Sirumalai, which is just 25 km from Dindigul, Salim is keen on promoting it as a summer getaway on the lines of Yercaud. He feels it has the potential to be developed into a tourist spot and only a few individuals are working towards achieving this objective.

“If nothing else,” he urges, “at least come to enjoy the cool climate.” My interest is at once kindled. Realising it's the best way to escape Madurai's sweltering heat and relentless power cuts, I set out for Sirumalai taking the Natham-Dindigul Road. The journey uphill, on 15 km of ghat road that's narrow and uneven with 18 hairpin bends, takes around 40 minutes.

Even as you cross the Forest Department's check-post in the foothills, you feel the cool breeze in your face, characteristic of a trip to any hill station. Leave behind the lush vegetation, comprising mostly plantain and coconut groves as you climb the hill, and at 1,600 metres you are in the midst of cardamom, sandalwood and coffee estates.

Once at the top, you realise Sirumalai is not as small as its name suggests. It spreads over 60,000 acres, a third of which is private revenue land, while the rest is forest thick with rosewood, silver oak and gooseberry.

When the cool drinks stalls are replaced by kiosks selling steaming chai and hot soup, you know the mercury has dipped. I take the car till the last bus stop in the village atop the hill. The laughter of children and the chatter of labourers and farmers fall pleasantly on my ears. The nip in the air is refreshing.

The wooden and semi-permanent houses, many of them believed to be more than a 100 years old, are an eyesore. A clutter of freshly-painted signboards announces the availability of new cottages, resorts and a recently-launched boating facility, besides the sale of land. Men laze around on coir mats inside the dome-shaped bus shelter, some gambling, some chatting. The only two imposing buildings in this seemingly under-developed but resource-rich region are a residential school and a resort.

Salim tells me the hill finds mention in the Tamil classics such as the Silappadhikaram. Kannagi is believed to have stayed here when she came to Madurai. Sirumalai is also mentioned in the Ramayana. Legend has it that when Hanuman returned from Sri Lanka, carrying the Sanjeevi Hill, a piece of it dropped here and it came to be known as Sirumalai. Ancient books on Ayurveda cite Sirumalai as being home to many medicinal plants. Siddha medicine is said to have been developed in these hills by the sages a thousand years ago.

It's sad that 500 acres belonging to the Horticulture Department remain under-utilised. Only one-fifth of the area has been used to raise eucalyptus, silver oak, lemon and black pepper. The famous Sirumalai banana, popularly known as ‘malai vazhai' and used in the ‘panchamritham' made in the Palani temple, is grown here.

You can spot more colourful flowers and herbs in the wilderness than within the gated property. Adjacent to it is the land belonging to the Sericulture Department. Mulberry is raised on 10 acres, and two lakh tonnes of cocoons are produced annually.

It's impossible to miss the sounds of Nature — the chirping of birds and the buzzing of insects keep us company as we walk down a winding road that takes us to a privately constructed artificial lake where boating is being promoted. It is noon, and suddenly the place is enveloped in fog and the lake and the horizon seem to merge. There is a chill in the air, reducing visibility to 50 metres.

“The salubrious climate round the year, makes Sirumalai a perfect heat-buster for city-slickers,” smiles Salim, as we move on to the Saathiyar basin — the catchment area for the Saathiyar Dam in Madurai District. It offers a 360-degree view of the hills — from scrub to deciduous and semi-evergreen forest.

We go past private estates, spreading across several acres. I am told, perennial rivers run through these properties before flowing into the plains in a series of waterfalls.

The hill is divided into three main regions — Sirumalai, Sirumalai Pudur and Agasthiar Malai — inhabited by 5,000 families. Walk along the periphery of the forest in Agasthiar Malai and you discover it's a storehouse of herbs. There is ample scope for trekking here. For adventure-seekers, trekking routes are marked through the forests that are home to a variety of birds and animals.

With the afternoon sun disappearing behind a veil of clouds, we take a break at the resort digging into sumptuous Dindigul biriyani. It is followed by a visit to the Vellimalaiswamy Temple. The Selvi Koil Point offers a beautiful view of Dindigul and the Chinnamalai town below.

“In the dusk, the glow of numerous lights makes the view from the top more enchanting,” says Salim, urging me to stay on. But such indulgence is a luxury and I begin my downward journey, reluctantly.

Getting there:

Sirumalai is a village atop a hill in Dindigul District, 25 km from Dindigul city, 90 km from Madurai and 400 km from Chennai.

What to do:

Trekking, hiking or bird watching. Visit the recently renovated Vellimalai Temple or the Sanjeevani Hills. Walk to the waterfalls or go boating.

Where to stay:

The Wild Rock Country House (0451-2470454) is the only bungalow available for stay other than the Panchayat Union Guest House.

(Hidden 100 is a weekly column featuring lesser-known destinations.)

http://www.thehindu.com/life-and-sty...cle2924235.ece

Sirumalai looks to be an amazing Picnic spot for Madurai region people for trekking,boating,sight-seeing etc.,at just 90 Kms from the city..TN Govt. should develop this hills as a major tourist spot like Kodaikanal..TNSTC-Madurai should provide more connectivity to this hill-spot from Madurai,as they ply frequent buses to Kodaikanal from here daily..!! TTDC can also make "Sirumalai" - a part of their tour plans for Foriegners/outsiders coming to Madurai, in addition to Kodaikanal.

[madurakarenda]

Kochi selected for eco project

The city corporation will soon get a project to mitigate the impact of climate change. It is among the four cities, besides Madurai, Howrah and Vishakapatnam, that have been selected by International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEL), a global body for implementing a project called ‘Asian Cities Adapt’, to look at ways to reduce the risks of climate change.

Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) has been selected as the scientific partner to the project, which will be co-ordinated by the union government. As a preparatory exercise, ICLEL organised a workshop and meeting of stakeholders in Kolkata early this week.

“The project envisages adapting to the growing issue of climate change and formulating strategies to address this,” said K.J. Sohan, the chairman of the corporation town planning committee, who attended the workshop held in Kolkata.

“Issues in various sectors will be taken into consideration while chalking out the strategy, including farming, drainage system, carbon emissions and construction activities in the city. The city’s specific features are being considered for the project preparation,” he added.

Dr Hareendranathan Nair of the CUSAT School of Environmental Studies said, “CUSAT has been asked to prepare a zonation mapping of the city where the city would be divided into zones and details of each zone will be looked into which would also look at the vulnerability factors like rising sea level, heavy rain, flooding, etc. Based on this, the strategies to be adopted would be readied.”

As per the ICLEL assessment, Kochi is in the frontline of the country's seaside cities that can potentially be affected by climate change, mostly in the form of inundation due to sea level rise.

Active involvement of various stakeholders like City Corporation, Chamber of Commerce, Merchants’ Union, Residents’ Association Apex Council and Kudumbasree was important for implementing the project, added Mr Sohan.


http://www.deccanchronicle.com/tablo...co-project-101

Looks like this one is different from that announced last month that carbon content thing for which Madurai and Mysore were selected.

[Madurai gilli]

A new addition to the emerging medical hub of Madurai is the LiveWell Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine. The facility provides comprehensive and holistic care to patients requiring rehabilitation and aims at improving the quality of life and ‘is the first of its kind with state-of-art facilities, next only to Vellore', according to Dr K.S. Sundaram, General Manager of the Institute.

Situated at Poovanthy, 20 km away from Madurai on Sivaganga Road, the institute provides treatment for patients who have lost mobility and occupational skills due to stroke, traumatic brain injury, spinal card injury, neurological impairments, chronic pain, children with special needs, geriatric reconditioning, musculo-skeletal impairment, limb loss etc, following stabilisation of their acute medical issues.

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/...ue&ref=wl_home

[madurakarenda]

Originally Posted by Madurai gilli

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/...ue&ref=wl_home

I came across a mental rehab center of Rathina mental health care of bypass road (Ethana naalaiku idhaye solrathu? Nalla peru vaingappa!!) in Thuvarimaan road after Kochadai. Good to see Madurai focusing on all round healthcare .

[mduvignesh]

Originally Posted by sundar_amu

It was the wonderful effort by MK & Shyam! Hats off guys!! Eagerly waiting for your photos and update in industrial thread.

Superb MK and Shyamnath..... Waiting for the photos.

By the way, how is the crowd in Milan em mall? I have never visited there.

[madurakarenda]

Originally Posted by mduvignesh

Superb MK and Shyamnath..... Waiting for the photos.

By the way, how is the crowd in Milan em mall? I have never visited there.

Hi mduvignesh, I have started adding data to the industries thread with the photos we took, i will be completing it next week and will post a detailed report on the tour in a few days and i replied for your mall part of the post here :

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpo...postcount=1449

[madurakarenda]

Cross posted. Originally posted by thillai_selvan :

CHENNAI: In a bid to make the state slum-free, the Tamil Nadu government has selected nine urban agglomerations under the Rajiv Awas Yojana (RAY) for preparing proper rehabilitation plans.

Official sources told Express that the likely nine cities are Chennai, Madurai, Coimbatore, Erode, Tiruppur, Tiruchy, Tirunelveli, Salem and Vellore.

Sources said RAY may be extended to all 25 urban agglomerations with more than 1,00,000 population based on the 2011 census and subsequently to all urban areas.

According to State government estimates, about 13.96 lakh families (59 lakh persons) are living in urban slums in Tamil Nadu.

Similarly, a report by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation estimates the slum population in Tamil Nadu at 86.44 lakh in 2011.

Rajiv Awas Yojana, which was formulated by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation, envisages that each� State should prepare a plan of action that includes preparation of legislation for assignment of property rights to slum-dwellers, upgradation of existing slums and action to prevent new slums.

Preparation of the slum-free city plan will broadly involve slum redevelopment or rehabilitation plans based on a survey of all slums—notified and non-notified —mapping of slums using state-of-art technology, integration of geo-spatial and socio-economic data and identification of development model proposed for each slum, according to Rajiv Awas Yojana Guidelines for Slum-free City Planning.

Sources said that focus would be accorded to rehabilitation of slums in objectionable areas in Chennai and top 10 urban agglomerations initially, followed by slum rehabilitation in other cities. Interestingly, civil society has welcomed Rajiv Awas Yojana and said it will bridge the gap in housing. Vanessa of Citizen Rights Forum said that the housing process under RAY should ensure inclusiveness of the cities, adequate community consultations and mapping of urban land.


http://ibnlive.in.com/news/tn-nine-c...84-60-118.html

I could already see a good number of slums converted into buildings by TNHB and process going on fast in other places and land is being acquired for Satellite township in Thoppur as well. Good work done by TNHB which will expand city limits further.

[madurakarenda]

மைய மண்டபத்தை புதுப்பிக்க மீண்டும் நிரம்பும் தெப்பக்குளம்

மதுரை:மதுரை மீனாட்சி அம்மன் கோயில் நிர்வாகத்திற்குட்பட்ட மாரியம்மன் தெப்பக்குளத்தின் மைய மண்டபத்தை புதுப்பிக்க, மீண்டும் அதில் தண்ணீர் விடப்படுகிறது.ஆண்டுதோறும் இக்குளத்தில் நடக்கும் தெப்பத்திருவிழாவிற்காக செயற்கை முறையில் தண்ணீர் நிரப்பப்படுகிறது. பின், தண்ணீர் நிரப்பப்படுவதில்லை. இதனால் சில வாரங்களிலேயே தண்ணீர் குறைந்து, வறண்டு, கோடை விடுமுறைக்கான கிரிக்கெட் மைதானமாக மாறிவிடும். இந்நிலையில், பிப்.,7ல் நடந்த தெப்பத்திருவிழாவிற்காக இக்குளம் நிரப்பப்பட்ட நிலையில், மீண்டும் தண்ணீர் விடப்படுகிறது. கோயில் நிர்வாக அதிகாரி ஜெயராமன் கூறியதாவது :மைய மண்டபத்தை ரூ.45 லட்சம் செலவில் புதுப்பிக்கும் பணி விரைவில் துவங்குகிறது. தண்ணீர் வற்றும் வரை காத்திருந்தால் பணிகளை திட்டமிட்டப்படி முடிக்க முடியாது. எனவே தற்போதைக்கு படகில் பொருட்களை எடுத்துச் செல்வதற்காக தண்ணீர் விடப்படுகிறது. மைய மண்டப கோபுரங்களுக்கு, பல வண்ணங்கள் அடிக்கப்படுகின்றன, என்றார்.


http://www.dinamalar.com/district_detail.asp?id=413433

Mandapam in the Teppakulam is to be painted with a new color and to be renovated.

[Madurai gilli]

Dono where to post it but as Sivaganga comes under Madurai region,I am just sharing this picture..Sivaganga Govt. Medical College and Hospital - A ward with 200 beds under construction.

Thanks Shyam in FB for sharing it..!!

[shyamnath]

Originally Posted by Madurai gilli

Thanks Shyam in FB for sharing it..!!

Thanks to Maruthu Pandian, the Owner of the company involved in building this project for sharing this pic in FB..

[mduvignesh]

Originally Posted by madurakarenda

Hi mduvignesh, I have started adding data to the industries thread with the photos we took, i will be completing it next week and will post a detailed report on the tour in a few days and i replied for your mall part of the post here :

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpo...postcount=1449

Thanks MK, take your own time, waiting to see those photos.
And thanks again regarding Vishal mall.

[madurakarenda]

Great to see that one more CBSE school inaugurated today This time from the SBOA group. Hoping for them to come up with a dedicated campus in Nagamalai pudukottai where they are already running a very big matriculation school since very long back.



Got their website : http://sboamadurai.org/?page_id=1092

[Sankkar]

Strategic plan ready to promote ‘Madurai Malli' in global market

A strategic plan is ready to spread the fragrance of ‘Maduai Malli' in global flower markets based on a comprehensive study which has come out with key suggestions for jasmine growers' development.

The exclusive field study which was done jointly by Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) and the Hyderabad-based International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) has made a set of recommendations for promoting ‘Madurai Malli' in a big way in both domestic and international markets.

A meeting of Madurai jasmine promotion stakeholders was organised here on Saturday at the Agricultural College and Research Institute with growers, traders, horticulture department officials and senior representatives from banks, including the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development.

After watching a detailed presentation made at the meeting, the Collector, U. Sagayam, and the TNAU Vice-Chancellor, P. Murugesa Boopathy, assured that ‘Madurai Malli' would be promoted as a global brand.

The strategic plan had studied the issues confronted by jasmine growers in Madurai and Dindigul districts so as to come out with solutions. It was pointed out that Madurai Malli had a huge market potential because of its superior fragrance, extra thickness of petals and more shelf life.

The process of acquiring patent for Madurai jasmine variety is going on right now.

S. M. Karuppan Chetty, Chief Operating Officer of Agri-Business Incubation Programme, ICRISAT, made an exhaustive presentation on his team's survey findings.

“We have to exploit the commercial advantage by sorting out the production and commercial constraints. Area under jasmine production in Madurai district is 1,220 hectares while the district produces nearly 10,000 tonnes per year. If Madurai Malli has to catch up in the global market in a big way, the skills of garland makers have to be enhanced,” he observed.

The study has analysed all aspects pertaining to jasmine growers and identified the opportunities available in the export market arena. It took first hand accounts of farmers, growers, commission agents, flower exporters, consumers and extraction industry.

According to Mr. Karuppan Chetty, a wide gap persists between demand and supply of fresh flowers. Jasmine growers are getting discouraged due to a very huge price volatility and lack of adequate cold storage facilities.

He appealed to the Collector to form ‘Madurai Malli Development Cell' to spearhead promotion activity. Several jasmine growers who attended the meeting called for setting up perfume factories in this region, export guidance from experts and easy export licenses for jasmine business.

“Our university will help jasmine growers and entrepreneurs in a big way through the agri-business department. All hurdles in the supply-chain management will be looked into and we will take steps to increase jasmine cultivation in Madurai district in association with State Government officials,” the TNAU Vice-Chancellor said.

K. Vairavan, Dean, Agricultural College and Research Institute, P. Banumathi, Dean, Home Science College and Research Institute, and A. R. Mohamed Haroon, Head, Department of Soil and Environment, participated in the meeting.

http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/article2934146.ece

[madurakarenda]

திருப்பரங்குன்றம் :"மாசில்லா மதுரையை உருவாக்குவோம்' என்னும் திட்டம் மதுரையில் நாளை (பிப்.,28) முதல் செயல்பட உள்ளது.
100 வார்டுகளிலும் அறிமுகப்படுத்தப்பட உள்ள இத்திட்டத்தை, காலை 7 மணிக்கு மதுரை ரயில்வே ஸ்டேஷனில் அமைச்சர் செல்லூர் ராஜூ துவக்கி வைக்கிறார்.
மேயர் ராஜன் செல்லப்பா, கமிஷனர் சவுந்தராஜன், போலீஸ் கமிஷனர் கண்ணப்பன், முதன்மை கல்வி அலுவலர் நாகராஜமுருகன், கல்லூரி கல்வி இணை இயக்குனர் பொன்னாத்தாள் மற்றும் எம்.எல்.ஏ., க்கள், கவுன்சிலர்கள் பங்கேற்கின்றனர். இத்திட்டத்தில் மாநகராட்சியுடன், பொதுமக்கள், கல்வி நிறுவனங்களின் என்.சி.சி., என்.எஸ்.எஸ்., மாணவர்களும் பங்கேற்பார்கள்.


http://www.dinamalar.com/News_Detail.asp?Id=414591

Mission Neat Madurai (?) is to be started tomorrow by Minister Sellur K Raju in Railway jn premises tomorrow.

[madurakarenda]

கிராமிய சுற்றுலாவிற்கு வரவேற்பு : அமைச்சர் கோகுல இந்திரா தகவல்

மதுரை :""தமிழகத்தின் கிராமிய சுற்றுலாவை வெளிநாட்டினர் பெரிதும் விரும்புவதால், கிராமங்களில் பொருளாதார முன்னேற்றம் ஏற்படும்,'' என அமைச்சர் கோகுல இந்திரா குறிப்பிட்டார்.
மதுரையில் இந்திய தொழில் கூட்டமைப்பு (சி.ஐ.ஐ.,) சார்பில் நடந்த "மதுரை விழா' நிறைவு விழாவில் அவர் பேசியதாவது:
வெளிநாட்டில் இருந்து தமிழகம் வரும் சுற்றுலாப் பயணிகள் இரண்டு நாட்கள் தங்கி, பல பகுதிகளுக்கு செல்கிறார்கள். இவர்கள் இதை விடவும் கூடுதல் நாட்கள் தங்கி செல்ல வேண்டும், என சுற்றுலாத்துறையை முதல்வர்
அறிவுறுத்தி வருகிறார்.

கிராமிய சுற்றுலாவை வெளிநாட்டினர் பெரிதும் விரும்புகின்றனர். தமிழகம் வருபவர்கள் தற்போது ஓட்டல்களில் தங்க விரும்பாமல் கிராமங்களில் தங்கி, நமது மக்களின் கலாச்சாரத்தை அறிந்து கொள்கின்றனர். இதனால் காஞ்சிபுரம், காரைக்குடி, மகாபலிபுரத்தில் கிராம மக்கள் வேலைவாய்ப்பு பெற்றுவருகின்றனர்.
புகையில்லாத ஒரு தொழிற்சாலையாக சுற்றுலாத்துறை மாறி வருகிறது. இத்துறை மூலம் பல புதிய திட்டங்கள் செயல்படுத்தப்பட்டு வருகிறது.
மதுரை நாகனாகுளத்தில் ஆக்கிரமிப்புகள், அசுத்தங்கள் அகற்றப்பட்டு, மிகவும் சிறப்பான சுற்றுலாத்தலமாக மாற்றப்படும். இதே போன்று வண்டியூர் கண்மாய், மாரியம்மன் தெப்பக்குளம் அழகுபடுத்தப்படும், என்றார்.
சுற்றுலாத்துறை முதன்மை செயலர் ஜெயகொடி, கமிஷனர் ராஜேஷ்லக்கானி, கலெக்டர் சகாயம், மதுரை விழா தலைவர் உமா கண்ணன், சி.ஐ.ஐ., மதுரை மண்டல தலைவர் ஷியாம்
பிரகாஷ் குப்தா, முன்னாள் தமிழக துணை தலைவர் தினேஷ், முன்னாள் தென் மண்டல தலைவர் கருமுத்து கண்ணன், சுற்றுலா பிரிவு கன்வீனர் வாசுதேவன் பங்கேற்றனர்.


http://www.dinamalar.com/district_detail.asp?id=414592

Naganakulam encroachments to be cleared. And Teppakulam tank to be beautified.

[madurakarenda]

ஊமச்சிகுளம் :மதுரை நாராயணபுரம் கண்மாயில் மோட்டார் படகு சவாரி துவக்க விழா நடந்தது.
அமைச்சர் செல்லூர் ராஜூ தலைமை வகித்தார். கலெக்டர் சகாயம் முன்னிலை வகித்தார். சுற்றுலாத் துறை அமைச்சர் கோகுல இந்திரா துவக்கி வைத்தார். அவர் கூறியதாவது: கடந்த ஆண்டு இங்கு படகு சவாரி துவக்கப்பட்டது. இதில் நான்கு பெடல் படகுகளும், ஒரு துடுப்பு படகும் உள்ளன. மதுரை மக்களுக்கு பொழுதுபோக்கு அம்சங்கள் எதுவும் இல்லாததால் ஏராளமானோர் படகு சவாரிக்கு வருகின்றனர். மக்கள் பயன்பெறும் வகையில் கண்மாயில் நிழற்குடை மற்றும் படகு துறை அமைக்க
வேண்டும் என மாவட்ட நிர்வாகம் தெரிவித்தது.
அதைத் தொடர்ந்து இங்கு ரூ.4 லட்சம் மதிப்பில் படகுத் துறையும், பயணிகள் நிழற்குடை, பொருட்கள் வைப்பறை அமைக்கப்பட்டன.
தற்போது துவங்கப்பட்டுள்ள மோட்டார் படகு கொடைக்கானலில் இருந்து கொண்டு வரப்பட்டது. இதன் மதிப்பு ரூ. 4.30 லட்சம். இதில் எட்டு பேர் செல்லலாம். இதுபோல் சுற்றுலாத் துறை மூலம் மதுரை வண்டியூர் கண்மாயும் புதுப்பிக்கப்பட்டு படகு சவாரி
துவக்கப்படும், என்றார்.சுற்றுலாத் துறை செயலர் ஜெயக்கொடி, மேயர் ராஜன்செல்லப்பா, துணை மேயர் கோபாலகிருஷ்ணன், எம்.எல்.ஏ.,க்கள் கலந்து கொண்டனர்.


http://www.dinamalar.com/district_detail.asp?id=414593

Rs. 4.3 Lakhs worth motor boat given for Naganakulam boating lake. It is a 8 seater one. After this Vandiyur tank will be renovated and boating service would be started they said. Let us see what they do this time.