MADURAI-IT.COM ICT COMPANIES MEETING-INTIMATION

Dear Friends,

Greetings!

In continuation to the first meeting held at MADITSSIA hall for the purpose of forming an Association of IT Services companies, I would like to invite you all for the second meeting to discuss and freeze matters related to the subject.

Meeting information as follows:

Subject: Forming a Coimbatore/South TN based IT Software & Services Companies Association - Continuation

Date : 30th APRIL, 2009 (Thursday)

Time: Between 5.30 PM and 7.00 PM

Venue : HONEYWELL TECHNOLOGIES, TCE CAMPUS, TIRUPPARANKUNDRAM.


Friends, I am sending this mail only to the list of contacts I have. Please forward this mail and also make personal calls to all of your friends who are involved in IT Software & Services business. It will be good to have as many as possible for an initiative like this.

I would like to express my sincere thanks to Mr.Senthil, Unit Director of Honeywell for hosting this meeting and supporting the regional organizations in a positive way.

Please make sure you are taking part in this important meeting and your contribution is very vital.

The tentative agenda will be:
1). Finalizing the name for the association (Sharing the discussions of the steering committee)
2). Finalizing the objectives.
3). Identifying potential office bearers/Defining eligibility norms.
4). Registration of the association
5). Date of formal launch
6). Any other matter

I have enclosed the minutes of the last meeting for your reference.

Look forward to a long and happy relationship with you.

With warm regards,

R.Sivarajah,
Jt.Managing Director & CEO
Winways Systems Private Limited,
Phone: +91-452-4394466/4392230/

2580754 Fax: +91-452-4394488
Hand Phone: -9840944410
email: rsiva@winways.co.in

Coimbatore Central Library to improve and change for hi-tech

The profile of library network in Coimbatore district is set to change in about a month�s time. Giving lead to this image makeover is the District Central Library in the city which is now giving shape to various Information Technology (IT) initiatives.�
It will no more be just an array of racks, shelves, books and a reading table. The District Central Library, which has a collection of 1.56 lakh books, will provide a range of value-added services, the infrastructure for which is getting ready.�
Internet browsing centre, downloads, book scanning, printouts, CD writing, an exclusive webpage, bar coding of books and CCTV are among the things in pipeline.�
Not only the central library in Coimbatore but also the 12 taluk libraries in the district at places such as Melur, Usilampatti, Sholavandan, Tirupparankundram and Tirunagar are being supplied with computers, thanks to support from Raja Rammohun Roy Library Foundation, an autonomous body under the Union Ministry of Human Resource Development.�
�IT has penetrated into every field and so libraries cannot be an exception. Each branch library is getting three computers and already the taluk level libraries are provided with photocopiers,� says M. Kannan, Librarian, Subramaniapuram Branch Library.�
According to R. Sakthivel, Librarian in-charge, District Central Library, the infrastructure development and IT installations were made possible due to a special fund of Rs.4.09 lakh sanctioned by former Collector T. Udhayachandran.�
�On an average, there will be 750 visitors a day at the central library which was opened in 1952. Out of the total collection of 1.56 lakh books, one lakh books are meant for lending and the remaining 56,000 are reference books,� he says. OPAC soon�
For the benefit of people outside Coimbatore district who want to know the details of books in the District Central Library, a webpage is being created with the help of National Informatics Centre (NIC). �In library parlance, we call the webpage facility as Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC) through which public can access the library catalogue,�says Mr. Kannan. Librarians were trained in operating computers at a programme held here last month.�
The annual subscription for library membership is Rs.10. Besides, Rs.50 has to be paid as caution deposit for three tokens and the books are lent for 14 days.�
Browsing charges per hour will be Rs.10. Talks are under way with the BSNL to get broadband connectivity. �The value-added services will prove that public libraries can be revenue-earners too by collecting nominal charges.��
The District Central Library is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and it has a separate section for women and children. Library authorities put forth a request to the State Government to appoint qualified full-time/pay scale staff because �the central library and branch libraries cannot afford to have temporary staff since it is risky when you are dealing with valuable books.�

source: k a r u r l i v eee

Coimbatore ONE Portal - An integrated portal for SuperCoimbatore

An effort for integrated portal is made and here it is - MADURAI ONE.com Portal

Sponsored by OruAcre.com

The categories include -
Airport, Business, Companies, Culture, Economy, Education, Entrepreneurship, Festival, Food, Improvement, Industries, Infrastructure, IT Park, Library, Money, Passport, Personalities, Politics, Potential, Real Estate, Society, Software, Transport, Tourism and Wisdom.

Sections include Problems in Coimbatore, Solutions for Coimbatore and Coimbatore in 2008. These sections will change periodically.

Headers include Foundation, Publication, Software, Advertisement/Marketing, Directory, Jobs, Movies, Money and Company.

Online Grievance Forum - Coimbatore Complaints - ex: Passport Office

Online Grievance Forum�[Government of India]

Dear Friends,

Government of India has an online Grievance forum at http://www.pgportal.gov.in

The government wants people to use this tool to highlight the problems they faced while dealing with Government officials or departments like:

1. Railways
2. Posts
3. Telecom (incl. Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL)
4. Urban Development (Delhi Development Authority (DDA), Land Development Office (L&DO), Central Public Works Department (CPWD), etc)
5. Petroleum Natural Gas
6. Civil Aviation (Air India, Airports Authority of India, etc)
7. Shipping, Road Transport Highways
8. Tourism
9. Public Sector Banks
   • Allahabad Bank
   • Andhra Bank
   • Bank of Baroda
   • Bank of India
   • Bank of Maharashtra
   • Canara Bank
   • Central Bank of India
   • Corporation Bank
   • Dena Bank
   • Indian Bank
   • Indian Overseas Bank
   • Industrial Development Bank of India Ltd
   • National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development
   • Oriental Bank of Commerce
   • Punjab Sind Bank
   • Punjab National Bank
   • Small Industries Development Bank of India
   • State Bank of Bikaner Jaipur
   • State Bank of Hyderabad
   • State Bank of India State
   • Bank of Indore
   • State Bank of Mysore
   • State Bank of Patiala
   • State Bank of Travancore
   • Syndicate Bank
   • UCO Bank
   • Union Bank of India
   • United Bank of India
   • Vijaya Bank
10. Public Sector Insurance Companies
    • GIC of India
    • Life Insurance Corporation of India
    • National Insurance Company Ltd.
    • The New India Assurance Company Ltd.
    • The Oriental Insurance Company Ltd.
    • United India Insurance Company Ltd.
11. National Saving Scheme of Ministry of Finance
12. Employees' Provident Fund Organization
13. Regional Passport Authorities
    • Regional Passport Office, Ahemadabad
    • Regional Passport Office, Amritsar
    • Regional Passport Office, Bangalore
    • Regional Passport Office, Bareilly
    • Regional Passport Office, Bhopal
    • Regional Passport Office, Bhubaneswar
    • Regional Passport Office, Chandigarh
    • Regional Passport Office, Chennai
    • Regional Passport Office, Cochin
    • Regional Passport Office, Coimbatore
    • Regional Passport Office, Dehradun
    • Regional Passport Office, Delhi
    • Regional Passport Office, Ghaziabad
    • Regional Passport Office, Goa
    • Regional Passport Office, Guwahati
    • Regional Passport Office, Hyderabad
    • Regional Passport Office, Jaipur
    • Regional Passport Office, Jalandhar
    • Regional Passport Office, Jammu
    • Regional Passport Office, Kolkata
    • Regional Passport Office, Kozhikode
    • Regional Passport Office, Lucknow
    • Regional Passport Office, Coimbatore
    • Regional Passport Office, Malappuram
    • Regional Passport Office, Mumbai
    • Regional Passport Office, Nagpur
    • Regional Passport Office, Patna
    • Regional Passport Office, Pune
    • Regional Passport Office, Raipur
    • Regional Passport Office, Ranchi
    • Regional Passport Office, Shimla
    • Regional Passport Office, Srinagar
    • Regional Passport Office, Surat
    • Regional Passport Office, Thane
    • Regional Passport Office, Trichy
    • Regional Passport Office, Trivandrum
    • Regional Passport Office, Visakhapatnam
14. Central Government Health Scheme
15. Central Board of Secondary Education
16. Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan
17. National Institute of Open Schooling
18. Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti
19. Central Universities
20. ESI Hospitals and Dispensaries directly controlled by ESI Corporation under Ministry of Labour.

Many of us say that these things don't work in India . Couple of months back, the Faridabad Municipal Corporation laid new roads in his area and the residents were very happy about it. But 2 weeks later, BSNL dug up the newly laid roads to install new cables which annoyed all the residents. A resident used the above listed grievance forum to highlight his concern. To his surprise, BSNL and Municipal Corporation of Faridabad were served a show cause notice and the guy received a copy of the notice in one week. Government has asked the MC and BSNL about the goof up as it's clear that both the government departments were not in sync at all.

So use this grievance forum and educate others who don't know about this facility. This way we can at least raise our concerns instead of just talking about the 'System' in India.

Invite your friends to contribute for many such happenings.

PLEASE SPREAD THIS MESSAGE IF U WANT OUR INDIA TO HAVE A BETTER TOMORROW FORWARD THIS MAIL TO AS MANY AS POSSIBLE.

MADITSSIA and TVS to award Coimbatore based service companies

MADITSSIA and TVS to award Coimbatore based service companies

So far - MADITSSIA had been awarding the entrepreneurs in Coimbatore, for the success, performance and contribution towards Coimbatore's economy.

Now, MADITSSIA with TVS Company has planned to award Coimbatore based service companies.

Service categories like Information Technology, BPO, Catering, Automobile service, Computer Training services, hospitals, tourism services, beauty business services etc., are to be categorized and awarded in this function.

Service quality, Innovation, Job opportunities etc., are to be considered as factors for this award.

If you are interested, contact MADITSSIA and fill up the application for the awards on or before April 28th 2009.

If any questions, please contact 0452 - 252 3966, 650 1866.

Coimbatore Railway Division shows huge earnings and profit for 2008-2009

�The Coimbatore Railway division recorded a total earning of Rs.412 crore in 2008-09 against last year's earnings of Rs.329 crore,�Divisional Railway Manager Anil Singhal said. Isn't it great?

Coimbatore Meenakshi Kumbabishekam Photos 2009 - Chitrai Festival - Buy Gold on Akshaya Tritiya day as well

If you had been looking for Coimbatore Meenakshi Amman Temple Kumbabishekam Photos in the internet, here are some of them -

http://www.coimbatoremeenakshi.org/photo_gallery.php

http://picasaweb.google.com/dhandapani.kb/Meenakshi_Kumbabishekam

http://lovelydeeps.blogspot.com/2009/04/coimbatore-meenakshi-amman-temple.html

By the way - Chitra/Chithra Thiruvizha/Festival in Coimbatore is planned to start on April 26th 2009.

Another thing to note in the background is April 27th 2009 is Akshaya Tritiya! When you come to Chitrai Festival, just drop by the jewellery shops in Coimbatore for your GOLD Shopping and any ICICI bank for Gold Coins:)

Coimbatore four way lane to Trichy - almost completed

The four-lane projects on the Tiruchi-Coimbatore section of National Highway 45 B and the Tiruchi-Tindivanam section of NH 45 are expected to be completed before July, except for a few grade separators and bridges in the urban areas.

read more in the news

Coimbatore and Uttar Pradesh, Bihar Connection - Mulayam Singh Yadav and Laloo Prasad Yadav

EMG Yadava Women's college seems to have portrait photos of Mulayam Singh Yadav and Laloo Prasadh Yadav. Do you know why?

Looks like sometime back Samajwadi Party supremo and Uttar Pradesh 'politician' Mulayam Singh has good rapport with the college secretary and was impressed with the college and decided to give Rs.10 Lakhs for the college.

Similar story applies to Mr.Laloo Prasad.

I just wanted to let you know the connection between Coimbatore, Mulayam and Laloo. Nothing to interpret here:)

Successful 900th article in Coimbatore Times Blog/Publication - From Editor's Desk

Successful 900th article in Coimbatore Times Blog/Publication - From Editor's Desk

Thank You Note:
Thank you for everyone's support for helping us reach this stage.
We are proud to announce that we are able to serve the visitors from all around the world addressing their questions about Coimbatore and get to know the views, culture and new news/updates about Coimbatore. New ideas for improvements of Coimbatore, discuss the problems in Coimbatore and solutions of Coimbatore!

About the Blog:
This blog was started to kill the Home sickness of an NRI, but today this blog
"Coimbatore Times(Made In Coimbatore)" serves lot of NRIs and NRMs from different parts of the world with latest views, culture, experiences, vision, mission and updates of Coimbatore.

Though most of our actions today are online, we wish we will reach a stage when we will act offline as well for the improvement of Coimbatore. Please see New Coimbatore Foundation.

We wish Coimbatore Times Blog would soon become Coimbatore Times Publication, to revolutionize much more folks of Coimbatore in the world.

Coimbatore Improvement Thoughts:

Theme of problems:
For detailed problems in Coimbatore, see Problems list 1 and Problems list 2. Read further here...

What is Coimbatore today? Coimbatore is still a historic place, like india it is a developing city - but never developed. Coimbatore is filled with gangsters and survival of the fittest proves physically only. Coimbatore's talents are moving out of Coimbatore for employment and career improvement to other cities, due to under-industrialization and under-IT ecosystem.

Coimbatore's potential relies on Tourism for ages together - but not tapped to the full extent - at least not to my satisfaction. Coimbatore is great for IT and ITeS operations, but not completely used. Coimbatore is great for an export oriented facilities. Coimbatore is under-infrastructured in terms of air and road.

There is a great talent pool which is still connected to Coimbatore, but lives outside Coimbatore. Whoever is living in Coimbatore are speechless and helpless under the clutches of the political and physical powers.

Solution snapshot:

If there is a strong force of NRIs and NRMs coming and settling in Coimbatore, that would change a lot of Coimbatore to Great Coimbatore. Do you understand what I am saying?

If there is a strong self-driven REVERSE-BRAIN-DRAIN happens in Coimbatore, then no one can stop Coimbatore's improvement!

Here is how I am thinking reverse brain drain to Coimbatore will help Coimbatore become GREAT MADURAI.

1) All the NRIs and NRMs(Non-Resident Coimbatoreites - say b'lore/hyd/chennai living) would start businesses.

2) Lot of legal money would pool into Coimbatore.

3) Great Teachers with new(international) perspectives would mould children to a great future.

4) There will be lot of Non-Profit Organizations(Non-Governmental Organizations - NGOs) started, noticing/realizing the unacceptable behaviour of Coimbatore.

5) New employment opportunities would happen, due to new businesses and industries.

6) World class Medical facilities and medical professionals would be available for help in health.

7) There would be a strong need to make Coimbatore like Singapore or any other country.

This would change MADURAI TO GREAT MADURAI AND NEW MADURAI

Would you agree with my thinking? Thank you for listening and visiting Coimbatore Times Blog!!!

- Coimbatore Times Editor!
email:coimbatoretimes@gmail.com

Significance of the photo - MS Subbulakshmi is similar to Coimbatore. She is elderly but a great person. She is a legend from Coimbatore and the photo shows she is lighting us the light to kick-start for Coimbatore's Improvement and road towards Great Coimbatore!!

Famous Joints and Drinks in Coimbatore

Coimbatore is famous for the Jigarthanda and Paruthi Pal, and carumbu (sugarcane) juice. Jigarthanda is a delicious drink made of algae, milk and sugar. Paruthi pal is yet another drink made of cotton seeds, flour of raw rice, coconut and jaggery. There is also a special 'fruit mixture' drink that is sold here, mostly near the Meenakshi amman temple. Some of the famous restaurants in Coimbatore are the Modern Restaurant (since 1956), Arya Bhavan and the latest Coimbatore Meenakshi Bhavan. The Modern Restaurant is the scrumptious chilli parotha(paratha/parotta), which is spicy shredded bits of parotha garnished with green chilies, lemon, and cilantro. Also competing with the new Caf� Coffee Day is the very old Visalam coffee shop in Goripalayam. Another favorite joint is Murugan Idli Shop that serves steaming hot idlis and a variety of chutneys to go with it. One great distinction about Coimbatore's road side food joints is that they are available almost all the time, including nights.

Samanar Hill in Coimbatore - Vadivelkarai

Coimbatore is surrounded by eight hillocks that once served to guard the city from invading forces. Of these hills, three small but prominent hills (Yanaimalai, Pasumalai and Nagamalai -- Elephant, Cow, and Snake Hill respectively) have several interesting legends associated with them.

Samanar Hill which is present opposite to Nagamalai is of historical importance. Samanars (a sects of Jains) were said to have stayed in the hill fearing persecution from the then rules of Coimbatore. Many stone statues and other artifacts are present in Nagamalai.

I used to enjoy my childhood days in this Nagamalai. There is a lotus pond also near this hill. This place has a temple too - Karuppana samy temple. This is my kula deivam in fact.

I have written more about Vadivelkarai in a previous articles one, two and three.

Looking for Bride or Bridegroom (Marriage) in Coimbatore? - Coimbatore Matrimony ways

Men looking for women for marriage?
Women looking for men for marriage?

Parents in Coimbatore start to look for mappillai, just right after the girl completes her graduation or when she is in the final year of her bachelorette. For guys, they don't start looking immediately in Coimbatore. The guy has to start working and earn before he is eligible to get married.

Parents in Coimbatore start saving for girl's marriage right after her birth and while she is growing up. For guys, he has to get job and start earning.

In those days, Parents in Coimbatore just tell the relatives that they are ready for their daughter to get married. Using the relative network, the bride or bridegroom is identified and the two of them get married. Even I remember, relatives pass on the news to my parents saying let us know if there is anybody looking for bride or bridegroom etc.,

Nowadays there are lot of options for searching for bride and bridegroom -

1) There are n number of sites for matrimony, including tamilmatrimony.com, shaadi.com etc.,

2) These days, even caste based websites are available for looking bride or bridegroom.

3) As usual relative and friends network is used for searching.

4) There are physically located offices for different castes, which take broker commission.

5) There are individual marriage brokers available to help with a cheaper commission that corporate companies.

6) There are event planners, who help in this matter.

7) There as astrologers who do this as additional service.

Coimbatore is still at the level of Matrimonial and people looking for marriage. They have not gone to the level of dating website, which is actually good - from a conservative perspective!

Fast foods in Coimbatore - Chicken & Egg based restaurant

I went to KFC recently. I like the idea of a unique recipe and keeping that secret as secret.

I like the professional cooking and help. While I was there in KFC, I got an idea. Introducing such a Chicken + Egg based restaurant will be a great hit in Coimbatore area.

Egg is as usual cheap. Chicken is easily available and affordable. A decent fast food concept based on Chicken+Egg based foods with professional packing and easy to eat will be a great idea.

Franchisee concept would be a great help. All the best for your business. Just email coimbatoretimes@gmail.com, if you are going to use this idea!

Coimbatore had been a center for lot of things from the past history

Coimbatore had been a center for lot of things from the past history.

Starting from olden history dating from Pandya Kingdom, Vijayanagara Kingdom, Nayak Dynasty, British rule and till today among southern districts.

Thirumalai Nayak had a great dream for Coimbatore and he had lot of interest in arts.
There are short stories explaining Nayak's interest and dedication to art works in Coimbatore. Hence the temple in and around Coimbatore!! history

Coimbatore is amazing in terms of the core city architecture, temple architecture, people, lifestyle, food etc.,

Even today, for any southern Tamil Nadu districts center, Coimbatore is chosen! Coimbatore has the flavor of history still and that is the significance of Coimbatore.

Coimbatore Slums and Coimbatore Microfinance help

Coimbatore Slums and Microfinance help

When researchers met with people living in slums in Coimbatore, during a research, people brought the sufferings that they faced with the private money lenders. With no hope to get small business loans from financial institutions, people living in slums that would like to start up small businesses had to turn to illegal lenders charging a hefty high monthly interest. Moreover, they are totally shut out from professional help on starting and running a small business. In order to let the lives of people living in slums to be self-sustainable, as well as to help parents in Coimbatore to earn enough income to send their children back to school, we will have to decide to start micro credit and micro finance programs in Coimbatore.

In general, the rate of repayment of the loans is expected to be 99%. Micro-credit can be provided to the community for carrying out the following activities:

1. Flower Vending
2. Tea Stall
3. Cloth Vending
4. Sugar Cane Juice
5. Grocery shop
6. Milk Vending
7. Tricycle
8. Vegetable Vending
9. Sewing Machine
10. Idly Shop
11. Bakery
12. Fancy Store
13. Bottle cap
14. Dry Fish
15. Petty Shop
16. Basket Making
17. Rice Grinding
18. Ironing
19. Goat rearing
20. Selling toys

If you are a self-sufficiently budgeted person, you could try this project?!

One of my lifetime Coimbatore Dreams - Coimbatore Chain of Libraries

One of my lifetime Coimbatore Dreams

I have always like the concept of Library in my childhood.
My mother used to work as a librarian in my school, apart from being a clerk cum typist in the same school.

Even though I don't really have looked into the books very curiously, my mother used to bring books on rent to home for reading. She gives me newspapers for reading, so that I and my brothers would get reading habit. She really understood the concept of reading and its associated advantages. She tried a lot with us.

My uncle(my mother's brother) works as a clerk in Coimbatore Kamaraj University as well. He gets us books from the MKU library for rent. We had so much advantange and access to the libraries in the town.

The libraries, any student would get access to in Coimbatore town are - School library, College Library, University Library, Street library(if one exists) and the City Government Library.

However, when a student wants entertainment, he/she does not go to a library to spend/kill time. Cinema theaters are the main destination, even if it is a daytime or afternoon times.

I think there has to be an option for somebody to spend time in a local library in every area. That is my dream. Anybody should love reading. Reading a book, apart from academic books had been an alien idea for someone.

I am setting a budget starting in 2005 from my personal money to build a network of libraries in and around Coimbatore. Anybody wants to read or gain knowledge or kill time or spend time usefully or pass free time or entertain themselves or have meeting and discuss about knowledgeable topics - then they should think about this chain of libraries. Libraries should facilitate a great childhood in Coimbatore to win the world!!

I am talking, representing New Coimbatore Foundation. I don't know which year I would be able to build this network of libraries, but definitely I will before I die! That is too far anyway.

This is one of my dreams - Building a Network of Libraries in and around Coimbatore.

Coimbatore PRP

Before ADMK left Coimbatore constituency to CPI(M), there was a news that ADMK was searching an "equally" powerful person for Mr.Azhagiri standing in Coimbatore for DMK. ADMK official O Panneerselvam was assigned the job of convincing Mr. P Palanichamy, PRP Granites and Exports owner.

However, looks like Mr. P Palanichamy did not agree to contest in the election for some reason!

PRP Exports is headed by Mr.P. Palanichamy, a veteran in the field known for his extensive knowledge on granites. He is ably assisted and supported by Mr.P.Senthil Kumar, Mr.P. Suresh Kumar and Mr.K. Murugesan as the pillars of M/s PRP Exports.

You can find more info about his company and empire in Coimbatore - PRP Exports

Coimbatore City Planning is praised - concentric square design

"Good city form" is a book by Kevin Lynch and it was published by MIT Press, 1984.
He writes and praises Coimbatore City Architecture.

"The Indian theorists, while they may have influenced fewer actual towns, were even more explicit in the connections they made between gods, men, rites and city plans. There was a series of texts on city planning, the Silpasastras which indicated how the eath could be parceled out and the evil forces of chaos enclosed and controlled. The typical form was a mandala, a set of enclosing rings divided into squares, in which the most powerful point is at the center. Enclosure and protection point is at the center. Enclosure and protection reinforces holiness, and the key movements are from the outside in, or circling the sacred enclosure in a clockwise direction. The earth is sacred and safe to inhabit, once these rites and spatial divisions are accomplished.

The yearly religious processions follow the same encircling routes and residents organize the city in their minds in the same way. Coimbatore in India is a stiking example of this model in which even today the city shape, the temples, the rites, the mental images of residents, the locations of activities, the main roads and even the bus routes are all matched to this symbolic form."

Coimbatore Machan commenting - Only issue with it is the roads are smaller. However with bridges this issue can be solved, I believe. Architects would know better...

Coimbatore Lok Sabha Election Candidate evaluation - Mohan

P Mohan MP

Ponnuswamy Mohan (born 30 December 1949) is a member of the 14th Lok Sabha of India. He represents the Coimbatore constituency of Tamil Nadu and is a member of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)) political party.

He was born in Sholavanthan, Coimbatore. He had completed BA in Educated at American College, Coimbatore (Tamil Nadu).

Member, State Committee, C.P.I. (M), Tamil Nadu ( ) , Member, District Secretariat, C.P.I. (M), Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu ( ) , Elected to 13th Lok Sabha( 1999) , Re-elected to 14 Lok Sabha (2nd term)( 2004) , Member, Committee on Urban Development( ) , Member, Committee on Petroleum and Natural Gas( 5 Aug. 2007 onwards).

Mohan Ponnuswamy had won two times for Lok Sabha from 1999. This year's election is going to be tough, because DMK candidate is a powerful man Mr.Azhagiri, with strength in Coimbatore and south tamil nadu districts and with family connections in the State and party connections in Central Government.

Overall, all we want is good stuff for Coimbatore. It does not matter whoever comes into power. All the Best and Good luck for every candidate in Coimbatore.

Let us have Coimbatore's voice heard in India and let it become a recognizable point in world map, in addition to its tourism significance.

Vijayakanth changes DMDK candidate in Coimbatore

photo source - t h a t s t a m i l

Vijayakanth changes DMDK candidate in Coimbatore

DMDK had Muthulakshmi as the candidate for Coimbatore. But, after the announcement of DMK as Mr.Azhagiri being given the seat in Coimbatore, DMDK evaluated the situation in Coimbatore.

DMDK President and Actor Vijayakanth decided to change the DMDK candidate for Coimbatore. Kaviarasu is the candidate from DMDK now. Muthulakshmi is moved to sivaganga most probably. Kaviarasu was a business man in Coimbatore leading the youth club of Vijayakanth fans.

There is not much popularity for Kaviarasu, however Vijayakanth is a popular personality among Coimbatore folks. We are not sure about the motive behind this change.

LTTE logo designed by Coimbatore artist

Did you know LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam)'s logo was designed and prepared by a Coimbatore artist in the first place?

Yes, I was surprised too to know this.

The logo of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and the flag of the putative independent state of Tamil Eelam in north-east Sri Lanka were conceived by the movement�s founder-leader Velupillai Prabhakaran. But it was an artist from Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu who gave concr�ete shape to them for the first time.

In 1976, Prabhakaran had sket�ched the LTTE emblem in his mind. While in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, he got an Indian artist to draw it. He told him his idea: the head of a roaring tiger, paws outstretched, with two rifles and 33 bullets set against a circle ringing the tiger�s head. When the artist showed him the sketch, Prabhakaran was happy and appro�ved it.

Coimbatore artist's contribution to LTTE excites me!

TamilNation.org, ExpressBuzz.com, IndianExpress.com and DailyMirror.com talks about it more.

Half gram gold in Coimbatore - Akshaya Tritiya/Trithya 2009 on April 27th

Gold is back in favour with consumers shifting their focus on the precious metal on the back of moderation in prices. And Akshaya Tritiya, falling on April 27, may provide a good opportunity for consumers in Coimbatore and India. But jewellers fear that retail purchasers may not go for the traditional 5-10 gm coins. To counter this, the World Gold Council (WGC), the gold sales promoting agency sponsored by miners, is planning to popularise half-gm gold coins.

�Reducing the coin size will serve two purposes. Consumers will continue to aspire for gold but at a lower investment, thus saving money to fulfill other needs. At the same time, they can also celebrate the occasion which is auspicious for buying gold,� a jeweller said.

Buy Gold and Silver in Coimbatore as an investment...

Why someone should like Coimbatore?

I stumbled upon a blog about Coimbatore, which had portrayed very nicely about Coimbatore -�

Coimbatore city, is centered around the Meenakshi Amman temple which comprises of Four towers and a lake in it with golden lotus, also there is a palace which has the last ruler of the Nayaks, who are not even the original Tamils. Their remains are mostly found in and around the Coimbatore city as of today. Namely the Nayak Palace, Pudhu Mandapam, Some refurbished parts of the Meenakshi Amman temple, Many commercial points and streets around the temple in layers.�

It is definitely interesting... Read more here in�niji's blog

Coimbatore - a reality check - Coimbatore Economy Trend - April 2009

I was talking to some experts working in corporates in Coimbatore to see what is the trend going on.

Overall, it seems to be bleak in terms of economy across all the industries, due to global recession.

Since the banking and insurance are not doing well, there is obviously downward trend in Information Technology. All of the Loans and majority of the Projects comes from Banking and Insurance industry to IT - hence it seems be a dull market for now.

Industries in Coimbatore are scaling down. Both in terms of cost and also willing to close down industries, when the unit does not make profit.

Auto industry, Mobil retail and FMCG are all suffering.

Another new trend in Coimbatore is - all the corporate retail shops like Reliance Fresh, Mobile outlets etc., are renegotiating the rent with the land lords and delaying the rent payment overall with the landlords. Even they are threatening that they would not vacate, if they don't reduce the rent of the property. The retail units have promised on a rent in boom period and now they are trying to reduce it.

About unemployment - People are trying to stay in the jobs, wherever they are. Employers are cutting salaries and laying off. Even the salaries are paid delayed. No questions asked!

Companies recruiting in campus, has not sent joining letters , including corporate companies. This leads to more unemployment. My advice for these unemployed - go and do higher studies until the economy comes back.

Anyway, overall things seems to be down. Hopefully market would recover globally and we will prosper soon!

Having said all these - as always politicians, cinema executives/actors, some corporate businessmen, illegal businessmen and criminals do not have anything less!!

Mr.Azhagiri's manifesto says to convert Coimbatore to a Model city

Coimbatore as a Model City by Mr.Azhagiri

Here are some of the items from his election manifesto ---�

• construct elevated highways in Goripalayam, Kalavasal, Palanganatham and South Gate areas to reduce the traffic congestion further.
  
• fix the traffic congestion in the city by relocating the transport corporations from the city to the outskirts after consulting the police and the transport authorities
  
• clean up the Kiruthumal River and Anupanadi channel, thereby ensuring a mosquito free Coimbatore
  
• tackle the high demand for drinking water, he said that he would convert seawater into drinking water which would be brought to Coimbatore through huge pipes from Ramanathapuram. He also planned to ensure that water ran perennially in the Vaigai River by linking it with the Cauvery. In addition, he said he would sign an MoU with the World Bank to deepen the tanks in and around Coimbatore to make irrigation facilities available throughout the year.
  
• increase the price of paddy and sugarcane for the benefit of the farmers
  
• weavers that he would get extra funds from the Khadi And Village Industries Board to increase the subsidy given to them, also adding that he would increase the ceiling limit on electricity usage
  
• Being a sports enthusiast himself he would invest crores to set up a sports facility in Coimbatore. This academy would also train the physically challenged and is expected to facilitate their participation in world competitions.
  
• set up a suburban circular train service along the lines of the Chennai Metro. This service, he said, would connect Dindigul and Virudhunagar with Coimbatore.
  

Coimbatore Meenakshi Kumbabishekam leads to 48 sovereigns of gold missing?

Coimbatore Meenakshi Kumbabishekam leads to 48 sovereigns of gold missing?

As we all know, yesterday was the grand celebration and dharshan of Coimbatore Meenakshmi Kumbabishekam. However, very few is aware of the thefts relating to the crowd in Coimbatore.

The Hindu reports in an article(48 sovereigns of gold missing in 48 hours) that - there were 48 sovereigns of gold missing in 48 hours in Coimbatore. Isn't that telling a message to us?

What is the problem here?

Is it because of too much crowd in Coimbatore in 2 days - that the size of the district?

Is it because there is unemployment growing in Coimbatore?

Is it because of destructive lazy people growing or already living in Coimbatore?

Or to think bad - is it one way of earning for Police?

or is it because the ratio of police to people is too less?

Better Police catches these folks sooner or later!

Coimbatore Wikipedia - Coimbatorepedia.com

I recently stumbled upon Coimbatorepedia.com and noticed that it is initated by Mr.Sivarajah of winways and an active member in intiating the efforts to improve IT in Coimbatore.

check out coimbatorepedia.com�and contribute your content into the portal!

Goondas Act in Coimbatore - rowdies, gangsters, murders, criminals, felons

Coimbatore, Virudhunagar, Dindigul, Theni, Ramanathapuram, Sivaganga, Tirunelveli City, Tirunelveli District, Tuticorin and Kanyakumari crime rate.

Source - The Hindu - Thanks

Coimbatore in NASSCOM India city quadrant

Sponsored by OruAcre.com

You can see where Coimbatore is in the quadrant, prepared by Nasscom, India.
If you are not aware of how to read quadrants. Let me help you -

You need to read from the right top in an anti-clockwise direction.
Leaders, Challengers, Followers and Aspirants.

Coimbatore is in Tier-II and it has high potential for growth and prosperity. High time improvements in future industries.

I am very excited about this location of Coimbatore in this quadrant. This is a great input for the reason to buy lands in Coimbatore.

This message is sponsored by "Sun City Real Estate Agent, Coimbatore" and "Made in Coimbatore".

Coimbatore Meenakshi Temple Architecture

Coimbatore Improvement Letter - undated

Investment Land near Coimbatore Airport

Sponsored by OruAcre.com

Sun City Real Estate has been handling investment land projects before near Coimbatore IT park. Now, they are adding lands for sale near Coimbatore Airport as well.

You can check out this article to more about Sun City Real Estate Agent of Coimbatore.

We are yet to be given with much details about the land near Coimbatore Airport. Keep your fingers crossed. We will let you know. If you are interested, before hand - please send an email to CoimbatoreTimes@gmail.com, with the subject as "Land near Coimbatore Airport" and express your interest.

Coimbatore is the next happening place. I will write more about it in next few articles.

This article is sponsored by Sun City Real Estate Agent.

DMK Coimbatore Politics - Team for Lok sabha elections

As you know -

Mr.MK Azhagiri is given party ticket in Coimbatore!!! Hopefully, things will come out good for Coimbatore, since Mr.Azhagiri is also a Coimbatore lover too.

Following is the list of candidates given with tickets for forthcoming elections. Former MPs - Selvi, Subbulakshmi and Radhika were not given tickets.

DMK team:

South Chennai - R S Bharathy, Central Chennai - Dayanidhi Maran
North Chennai - T K S Elangovan, Sriperumbudur - T R Baalu
Perambalur - Nepolean, Ramanthapuram - J K Ritheesh, Thanjavur - S Palani Manickam, Arakonam - Jagathratchagan, Thiruvallur (R) - Gayathri Sridharan, Dharmapuri - Thamarai Selvan, Namakkal - Gandhi Selvan
Niligiris - A Raja, Nagappatinam (R) - A K S Vijayan, Tuticorin - S R Jeyadurai, Kanyakumari - Helen Davidson, Krishnagiri - Sukavanam, Thiruvannamalai - Venugopal, Kallakurichi - Adhishankar
Pollachi - Shanmuga Sundaram, Karur - K C Palanisamy

Shortfilm contest in Coimbatore

For the first time ever, plans are on to hold a contest for short filmmakers in Coimbatore! Conducted by YAAL, a talent search is on to spot the best short filmmaker in the Tamil Nadu heartland.

The contest is planned to be a grand function and will be held on April 23. Short films are invited for competition and will close on April 16. A huge cash prize of Rs 15,000 has been announced for the first prize winner, while Rs 10,000 and Rs 5,000 are for those coming second and third.

The entries submitted will be judged by directors Pandiarajan and Kalanjiam. So all you budding filmmakers out there, it�s about time to unleash your filmmaking potential. Call 9994544753, 9894199164, and 9789026611 for details.

source: i n d i a g l i t z

Rediscovering Coimbatore - Part I

Rediscovering Coimbatore

I was using web 2.0 tools like Google Map and finding out what I know about Coimbatore.
I realized that I know nothing. There is lot to know about India and Coimbatore.

India has similar highways with numbers, as I am seeing in other countries. How dumb I have been, without knowing the real routes in India.

For the sake of the article, let us just concentrate on Coimbatore and around.

Coimbatore is built around Coimbatore Meenakshi Sundareswarar temple.
I happenned to identify national and state highways running in all directions. Let me explain that...

National Highways will be mentioned as NH and State Highways as SH - henceforth.

(1) NH 45B runs from Chennai to Tuticorin and touches the eastern side of Coimbatore.
(2) NH 7 runs from Kalyakumari to Varanasi via Coimbatore, Dindigul, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Nagpur, Varanasi. Isn't it amazing?! My house is just on NH 7:)
(3) NH 49 runs east to west - Kerala to Ramanathapuram (and Gulf of Mannar).

Apart from these, there are state highways - nothing SH 72, SH 33, SH 73 etc.,

(1) SH 72 runs from north to Coimbatore mid.
(2) SH 33 runs from coimbatore mid to east.
(3) SH 73 runs far away from Coimbatore, in the far western part - but north to south direction.

Awesome connection with other states in India. This is only Roadways, we will talk about Railways more later.

Coimbatore is surrounded by smaller cities(clockwise from south) like - Aruppukkottai, Virudhunagar, Sivakasi, Rajapalayam, Theni, Dindigul, Manapparai, Pudukkottai, Melur, Sivaganga, Manacoimbatore etc.,

We will talk about it more...

Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu - Coimbatore Map on Google

Have you ever tried googling on Coimbatore, TN?

You will get a detailed map these days and you can see to lot of details.

please check it out - coimbatore map.