Madurai Railway division imposes ban on spitting, smoking

The Madurai Railway division, known for its spic-and-span atmosphere, has imposed ban on spitting and smoking in all station premises in the division.
   
According to a directive issued by Divisional Railway Manager, Ajay Kant Rastogi, those who spit in the platform would have to shell out Rs.500 as fine. Littering with cigarette stubs also had been banned.
   
"Our motive is to promote good habits," said an official.

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Ragini wants to stay in Kollywood

The Miss Beautiful Hair crown at the Miss India Contest 2009 has not only fuelled the aspirations of Ragini Dwivedi, but has also opened up several vistas for her.

Ragini, who debuted with Veera Madakkeri in Kannada, has done three films in a span of just six months in Sandalwood and is all set to do the remake of the Telugu film Shourayam.

Talking about her first Tamil film, she says, “I’m really excited and looking forward to the release of Ariyaan. It’s the storyline and the fabulous music that attracted me to the film. I’m thankful to producer Prabhdeesh Samuel and the entire team. He was very particular about me doing the role.”

Ragini plays the role of a spoilt daughter of a wealthy man in the film. Says she, “The role is very different. The role I play in the film is that of a person who lives life as she pleases. She is bubbly, fun loving and arrogant. An accidental meeting with a shy, simple boy changes her life and it’s the twist in the climax that will be the highlight.”

The beautiful actress seems to be bitten hard by the Kollywood bug and says that she is all ready to rock the industry. “I’m looking to grab roles in Tamil. Kollywood is a place of world famous technicians. The quality of the films and the way they are made are all unique and fabulous. Who wouldn’t want to be part of such an industry,” she asks.

She adds that if she gets more offers in Tamil, she doesn’t mind shifting her home to Chennai.

Talking about her immediate plans, she says, “I would like to work with all the leading stars of Kollywood and I’m learning Tamil now. I haven’t taken up acting by chance. I want to stay here,” she clarifies. Like many others, Ragini too found fame through modelling. The daughter of an army officer, this Punjabi girl says that her family too is quite excited about her career. “Usually, I listen to scripts along with one of my family members and we jointly decide as to whether I should do the film or not,” she says.

Even as she pursues her film career, the actress is also doing her third semester in B A. However, she says that her hectic schedules have got in the way of her studies. But she has no regrets. “I’m enjoying doing films and I don’t feel I’m missing out on fun except for the fact that I have considerably reduced the number of ramp shows ,” she says.

Apparently, this pretty model has learnt how to manage her career, relationships and gossip. On her apparent link up with Sudeep, her co-star in a Kannada film, she says, “When you are into films, it’s natural that your personal or professional friendships come under the scanner. I’m mature enough to handle it.” Ask her if she seeing someone and she says, “I have just started my career and I think things on the personal front can wait for sometime. Besides, I want to do good films, gain experience and want to make a mark in Bollywood as well.” Way to go, babe!

Tamil Latest Movie Subramanyapuram - a quick Review

Debutant director Sasi Kumar tries to present a different show through his much expected Subramanyapuram with the typical eighties backdrop. A former associate of Bala and Ameer, Sasi has come out with a fine watch worthy movie.

The film is the story of four youths growing up in Madurai locality and turn as killers due to unemployment and circumstances. Azhagar (Jai), Paramar (director Sasi Kumar), Kasi (Kanja Garuppu) and a handicapped young man in Subramanyapuram area. They do the odd jobs and working as sincere cadets of local politicians Somu and his brother (Samudrakani). Azhagar, the hero among the four, latter falls in love with the Somu's daughter Thulasi (Swathy). But his gang opposes the love and warns him many occasions.

Meanwhile the councilor's brother uses them to murder a party rival, promising they will be bailed out. Azhagar and Paramar committing the murder and surrender in the court. But nobody comes to bail them out. Later they realize that all are the planned conspiracy of the local politician. Now the gang turns into a revenge mood, which leads to a bloodshed second half.

The way of presentation beats the story but keep the viewers to stay in their seats. The art director and costume designer has worked hard to give that feel and look of the Madurai of the 80's. The camera work is excellent and it gives the feel of eighties in the first half, particularly in that theater scene.

The director is often using Illayaraja's golden hits and BGM in many scenes that give a different colour to the film. At the same time, we must appreciate music director James Vasant for coming out with some retro music.

The only drawback is that the film is too bloody and gory in the second half, particularly in the murder of Azhagar and Paramar's way of revenge for that (He just cut the throat of the villain in a running auto with a knife).

The actors are newcomers but contribute excellently throughout the film. Jai (Chennai-28 fame) as the romantic killer with the typical eighties costume has done a commendable job. The director comes in the role of Paramar also a welcome new face. The handicapped guy, Ganja Garuppu and Samudrakani are simply excellent. The new heroine Swathy is refreshing and her eyes speak a lot than her lips.

Sasi Kumar should be patted back for his hard work to recreate the magic of eighties on the screen with a sincere screenplay. No doubt, Subramanyapuram is a worthy film to list out top 20 Tamil films released in recent years.

Super star's fans condsuct special poojas

In an unique way to bring Tamil film superstar Rajinikanth to politics, some of his fans sacrificed goats to a local deity and offered special poojas, here Sunday.

Members of the Rajinikanth Fans Association took out a procession from Munichalai area to the local temple and sacrificed three goats to the deity and performed special poojas in order to please the almighty to bring Rajinikanth to the politics. Later, they offered anna dhanam (free food) to the poor people in that area.

Talking to mediamen, Elango, a functionary of the association, said after MGR, it is only Rajinikanth who will be the successful person from the tinsel world to enter politics. We want him not only to give hit movies but also to enter politics, he added. It may be recalled that few years ago, Rajinikanth wanted to enter into politics during the AIADMK regime in Tamil Nadu, after his blockbuster movie Badsha. But, later he hesitated to enter into the political world and said that he was concentrating more on movies stating entering into politics is only in the hands of God and it will happen only as God wishes.

Dasavatharam Audio and Trailer release

Actor Kamal Haasan’s much-awaited ‘Dasavatharam’ was expected to be released on Tamil New Year’s Day. However, the team has been working on the computer graphics, causing a delay in completion. The word is that it would take a couple of months before the film hits the cinemas.

All the same, news about actor Jackie Chan coming for the audio launch scheduled on April 25 has been doing the rounds for a while, causing some excitement. Industry sources say the actor was paid a huge sum (a few crores) to participate in the event.

He will take a special charter flight to reach Chennai and an entire floor in Hotel Park Sheraton has been booked for the actor and his associates.

The launch, to be held at the Nehru Indoor Stadium, will also have leading actors representing other film industries in India, including Bollywood’s Amitabh Bachchan, Mammootty representing the Malayalam industry, Kannada actor Vishnuvardhan and actor Vijay.

The climax song penned by lyricist Vairamuthu, ‘Ulaganayaganae…’, and set to music by music director Himesh Reshammiya will have Kamal in all the 10 avtars. Director K.S. Ravikumar will make an appearance, and shots of the process Kamal went through for the different guises have been included. Sony is said to have received orders for about 50,000 copies of the music CD.

Director P. Vasu, who is busy with ‘Superstar’ Rajinikanth’s film ‘Kuchelan’, is lately amused by rumours about a possible inclusion of several leading stars in a song. “Why would we do that…something on those lines has already been tried in a recent Hindi film. It is absolutely false…,” he told The .

The director said the shoot was on in full swing. Apart from actor Pasupathy, who plays the super hero’s friend, actor Prabu plays an interesting role as Rajinikanth’s security officer, he said.

Karunanidhi says Madurai IT Part inauguration soon

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi today told the State Assembly that the foundation stone for a new IT Park in Madurai would be laid in the next few weeks. Replying to supplementaries raised by Mr Nanmaran (CPI-M) during question hour, he said efforts were being taken through the ELCOT to set up IT parks in Coimbatore, Tiruchirapalli, Madurai, Salem and Tirunelveli. The foundation stone had been laid for IT parks in Coimbatore, Salem and Tirunelveli and expeditious steps were being taken in this regard in Tiruchirapalli and Madurai. ''As far as Madurai is concerned, the foundation stone for the IT park will be laid in the next few weeks,'' he added. Responding to Mr V Sivapunniyam (CPI), who wanted the Government to set up an IT park in Thanjavur, the Chief Minister said Thanjavur would be the next in the list. Mr Karunanidhi announced that about 172.19 acres of land had been transferred to ELCOT for setting up a SEZ at Hosur in Krishnagiri district, for which the Centre had given its nod. To another question, he said the software exports from the State had risen from Rs 14,400 crore in 2005-06 to Rs 21,700 crore in 2006-07. It was expected to touch Rs 26,000 crore in 2007-08

Shivaji will surely hit the screens in May- AVM Saravanan

Shivaji will surely hit the screens in May- AVM Saravanan

Here is the first official news about the release of Shivaji, the magnum opus of the industry. Director Shankar has completed the graphics and other minor correction work for the film and is preparing himself to unleash the biggest extravaganza of the year.

The AVM campus has announced that the film will be released most probably on 26th of May. When the correspondent contacted A.V.M. Saravanan, the producer of the film, 'We have planned to release the film Shivaji around the last week of this month. Shankar and his team have been working on it and it is nearing completion...' he told.




Shivaji is not only special for the viewers but it is very special for the super star Rajinikanth too. This is his 100th straight film in his career spanning most of the Indian languages. He has so far acted in a total of 173 films including the remakes and dubbings. In Tamil only he has completed 99 films and Shivaji will be the 100 th in the row.

AVM has erected its first vinyl hoarding for the film at Gemini fly over junction at Anna Salai, Chennai from yesterday. The superstar looks stunning in blue jeans and brown blazer with stylish black glasses. It is needless to talk about the excitement and joy of the fans of the actor. Even passer-byes who have a look at this hoarding for few minutes are surprised by the looks of the 'Basha of Kollywood'. Similar hoardings are expected all over Chennai shortly.

Baby with Cobra snake - Amazing Video

Villagers enjoy bullfight near Madurai in Spanish style

The sport of bullfighting is popularly associated with Spain, but a non-descript village in Tamil Nadu also enjoys this dangerous sport known as "Jallikattu".

Unarmed males of Keelapati Village near Madurai battle it out in the fields with enraged bulls, and in the process some of the participants suffer serious injuries and even die.

"They announce a prize of 'Kuttuvilakku' (a lamp) or a television set, to whoever succeeds in taming the bull. I won it this year. The bulls are fed very well throughout the year and they are given proper care," said Sunderpandi, the winner of the competition.

Bullfighting in Tamil Nadu is said to be a centuries-old sport. Young winners were richly rewarded and even marriages were fixed during the event.

Drunken bulls, with horns sharpened to make them more dangerous, are let loose from an enclosure into the crowd where thousands stand to participate or view the craving to showcase one's machismo motivates the young and not so young participate.

"I've been injured many times during the bullfight in the past few years. But I've always had great fun. I have been participating since the age of seventeen," said Mayandi, a participant.

A public interest petition was filed in the Madras High Court to ban the game, but the sport continues albeit with a few medical professionals present to attend to injuries.

Study says "Cocoa, not tea, calms blood pressure"

Some may see a cup of tea as soothing but chocolate is more likely to lower one's blood pressure, German researchers reported on Monday.

Foods rich in cocoa appear to reduce blood pressure but drinking green and black tea may not, according to an analysis of previously published research in the Archives of Internal Medicine, published by the American Medical Association.

The drop in blood pressure among participants who consumed cocoa products for at least two weeks was in the same range as achieved by someone taking drugs commonly prescribed to control high blood pressure.

The fall in blood pressure credited to cocoa could be expected to reduce the risk of strokes and heart attacks by 10-20 percent, the report said.

Both cocoa and tea contain polyphenols, a class of chemicals known to help prevent cardiovascular disease that are present in most fruits and vegetables. But cocoa has a different type than tea -- procyanids -- that appear to be more active.

Currently, patients with high blood pressure are urged to eat more fruits and vegetables, although cocoa and tea products account for the bulk of total polyphenol consumption in Western countries, the study said.

But don't start gobbling up chocolate bars just yet, wrote study author Dirk Taubert of the University Hospital of Cologne, Germany.

Treats such as dark chocolate might be substituted for other high-calorie desserts, based on the study's findings, but "we believe that any dietary advice must account for the high sugar, fat and calorie intake with most cocoa products.

"Rationally applied, cocoa products might be considered part of dietary approaches to lower hypertension risk," he wrote.

Ref: Yahoo news

lucky pair rules Tamil cinema - Harris and Vikram

Actor Vikram and music director Harris Jayaraj are known as Tamil cinema's lucky pair. This summer, their fifth film together will be on the silver screen.

Music director Harris Jayaraj is composing an item number for the forthcoming big-budget Tamil movie Bheemaa.

The song to be picturised on Vikram and to be shot in Tuticorin has been sung by Kailash Kher.

This, Harris says, will be the only hat ke number in the album, that otherwise has all melody tracks.

"It is a mix of all genres. Bheemaa has space for lot of melody with peppy numbers," says Harris.

This will be the fifth Vikram starrer that Harris Jayaraj is composing for. The actor and composer seem to be lucky for each other Saamy and Anniyan for example have been huge hits.

"Harris is usually very modern like Rahman, very yuppy. But here in this movie, director Lingusamy is from Kumbakonam and not too much into class so here there is a nice mix of folk tunes with melody," said Vikram.

Harris who has worked with A R Rahman, now has many offers from Mumbai.

Though it comes as a surprise that Harris has not been approached for scoring the music for the Hindi remake of Ghazini starring Aamir Khan. Ghazini's music was the biggest hit of 2005.

Realism triumphs in Tamil cinema with 'Paruthi Veeran'

Director Amir's 'Paruthi Veeran' has been declared a blockbuster, more successful than Vijay's 'Pokkiri'. This is a great achievement for debutant hero Karthi Shivakumar and the director

The top five Tamil films are:

1. 'Paruthi Veeran' - Director: Amir. This is one of the most realistic films to hit the Tamil screens in recent times.


2. 'Mozhi' - Director: Radhamohan. Mozhi continues to have full shows in all the city theatres.

3. 'Pachaikili Muthucharam' - Director: Gautham Menon. The film is not going to be another 'Vettaiyadu Vilaiyadu'. But Sarath Kumar's natural performance is worth watching.

4. 'Thirumagan' - Director: A.M. Ratnakumar. This is yet another lousy film from actor S.J. Suryah. Only Meera Jasmine is watchable.

5. 'Pokkiri' - Director: Prabhu Deva. Nothing can stop Vijay starrer 'Pokkiri', which is on its way to breaking records.

Software Jokes and bpo company jokes

The Leave Applications and other letters from outsourcing executives


Infosys, Bangalore: An employee applied for leave as follows:

"Since I have to go to my village to sell my land along with my wife, please sanction me one-week leave."


Joke: Leave applications & letter writing by executives
Krissy March 15, 2007
Know More: Outsourcing Joke Bangalore, IBM, Infosys, O&M, Sun Microsystem, Wipro

The Leave Applications and other letters from outsourcing executives


Infosys, Bangalore: An employee applied for leave as follows:

"Since I have to go to my village to sell my land along with my wife, please sanction me one-week leave."

joke-outsourcing


This is from Oracle Bangalore: >From an employee who was performing the "mundan" ceremony of his 10 year old son: as I want to shave my son's head, please leave me for two days.."


Another gem from O&M. Leave-letter from an employee who was performing his daughter's wedding:as I am marrying my daughter, please grant a week's leave.."


From Accenture Administration Department:
"As my mother-in-law has expired and I am only one responsible for it, please grant me 10 days leave."

Another employee from IBM Daksh applied for half day leave:
"Since I've to go to the cremation ground at 10 o-clock and I may not return, please grant me half day casual leave"

An incident of a leave letter: I am suffering from fever, please declare one-day holiday."

A leave letter to the headmaster: "As I am studying in this school I am suffering from headache. I request you to leave me today"

Another leave letter written to the principal of the school: "As my headache is paining, please grant me leave for the day."

Covering note: "I am enclosed herewith..."

Another one:"Dear Sir: with reference to the above, please refer to my below..."

Actual letter written for application of leave: "My wife is suffering from sickness and as I am her only husband at home I may be granted leave".

Letter writing:- "I am well here and hope you are also in the same well."

A candidate's job application: "This has reference to your advertisement calling for a ' Typist and an Accountant - Male or Female'... As I am both(!! )for the past several years and I can handle both with good experience, I am applying for the post. "

Chennai has Symantec Innovation Center

Minister of Communications and IT, Dayanidhi Maran inaugurated Symantec Corp.'s Center of Innovation in Chennai.

"Symantec's Center of Innovation at Chennai will play a key role in developing new solutions and enabling an environment of safe and secure computing for enterprises and consumers in India and globally," Maran said in a statement.

The firm already has an Innovation Center in Pune.

According to W Thompson, Chairman and CEO, Symantec, “The Chennai center would play a critical role in the development of the company's next generation of security products and solutions for enterprises and consumers the world over.”

The statement said that the new center would accommodate more than 1,000 employees. Its Pune center accommodates more than 2,100 employees and works on high-end product development in the security, storage and compliance domains.

“This center will further augment our already existing R&D and engineering strengths in India. Our focus is also to be the solution provider of choice in a rapidly 'Connected India,” Thompson said.

Anil Chakravarthy, VP, India Technical Operations, Symantec, said, "In the coming year the center will focus extensively on developing next-generation `Security 2.0' products including the distinguished Norton product line."

New Tamil Movie List

. Yaradi Nee Mohi...
. Niram
. Evano Oruvan
. Manjal Veyil
. Thoovaanam
. Pallikoodam
. Satham Podathae
. Pirappu
. Unnale Unnale
. Chennai - 600028
. Koodal Nagar
. Oram Po
. Ninaithalea
. Maduraiveeran
. Sivaji The Boss
. Agaram
. Thiru Ranga
. Surya
. Nee Naan Nila
. Meipporul
. Polladhavan
. Machakkaaran
. Naan Avan Illai...
. Veeraappu
. Sollathan Ninai...
. Bali
. Thirutham

IAF monitor skies after LTTE air strike

Indian Air force has set up eight radars as a precautionary measure to monitor the skies in the aftermath of Tamil tiger rebels launching their first aerial strike in Sri Lanka two days ago.

The radars were fixed at Seeniappa Darga Casurina jungle near Sundaramudaiyan village in Ramanathapuram district and trials were being held, a senior IAF official told PTI on Wednesday.

A team of 50 Air force personnel, under a commander, would be posted there to monitor the skies, he said. There was also a plan to set up a permanent Air-base near Seeniappa Dargah, the official, who wished not to be named, said.

The decision to set up radars comes two days after LTTE carried out an aerial attack at a military airbase in Colombo, killing three persons and injuring 16. Sri Lankan president Mahindra Rajapakse had warned that LTTE's air strike capability was a threat to the entire South Asian region, particularly India and Indonesia.

Meanwhile, the Indian navy has begun round-the-clock patrolling of the seas from the Forward Observation Point (FOP) near Dhanushkodi since Tuesday. Twelve marine commandos have been posted at FOP, to which communication links have been established.

The coast guard would also patrol the international maritime border in the Palk Straits, official sources said. Besides these measures, policemen manning the check-posts had been asked to inspect every vehicle passing through coastal roads, they said.

Murdering female infanticide going to be end

A special committee comprising women police and NGOs will be formed to keep a check on female infanticide and sex selective abortion cases in the district, said City Police Commissioner A Subramanian.

Inaugurating a trainers’ training programme on ‘Declining Child Sex Ratio: Perspectives, Interventions, Strategies’, which commenced here on Tuesday, Subramanian said apart from taking preventive measures, including raids, the committee would conduct extensive awareness programmes for the prevention of such inhuman acts.

Besides women police and NGOs, the committee would have representatives from Women Self Help Groups, other government department staff, village nurses, tahsildars and ‘thalayaris’.

Steps would be taken for the establishment of the committee, which would prevent infanticide and foeticide cases in the villages concerned, he added.

Analysing the background for the deplorable situation, he said that families, who viewed the girl child as a burden, are indulging in such inhuman acts.

Referring to a survey conducted in the district some years ago, the Commissioner said that about 188 villages in Madurai were identified having high number of foeticide and infanticide cases. Police are on high alert in curbing the functioning of pre-natal diagnostic centres and also doctors performing sex determination tests.

District Social Welfare Officer M Jayalakshmi, in her address, said the protection of women could be taken care of by women themselves.

She also added that affected women would be provided asylum in care homes (sevai illams), functioning under the Social Welfare department. SIRD director M Jeeva presided over the meeting.

Fake ration cards seized

Four persons, including a ration shop salesman, have been arrested on charges of circulating more than 500 bogus ration cards at Vikramangalam, near Usilampatti, in Madurai District, officials said today.

They were rounded up following raids conducted by top Civil Supplies Department officials after receiving complaints about circulation of bogus cards, they said.

According to officials, they were inquiring into the role of some officials of the Civil Supplies Department in the circulation the bogus ration cards, for which supplies had been made leading to the loss of several lakhs of rupees.

"We strongly suspect that the officials have connived in the offence. There could be more arrests at the official level," said a top official on condition of anonymity.

The raid also revealed that many genuine persons did not receive their ration cards.

The Joint Commissioner of Civil Supplies Chandramohan had visited some of the shops early last week and intense audit was conducted in some ration shops suspected to have been allotted bogus ration cards.

Police arrested Singam, assistant secretary of the Vikramangalam Primary Cooperative Society, Ravi, salesman, and two others. All of them were remanded to judicial custody.

Meanwhile, in Sivaganga district, police seized 190 bags of ration rice and arrested three persons on charges of smuggling it.

Police, on a tip-off that ration rice was being smuggled from a shop at Maravamangalam, patrolled the area and intercepted a lorry transporting rice bags.

Three loadmen identified as Selvam, Saravanan and Periyasamy, who were travelling on the lorry, have been arrested.

They confessed that the PDS rice was being taken from a shop at Maravamangalam to Karaikudi.

The lorry driver managed to escape. A case has been registered