Kurichi-Kuniyamuthur water supply improvement scheme reaches final stage in Coimbatore
Multi-level car parking facility at R.S. Puram in Coimbatore remains unused due to lack of bidders
Built at an estimated cost of 40.78 crore on a 2.87-acre site, the facility was completed in 2022; it is designed to accommodate 373 cars
European themed cafe opens in Coimbatore
Spinning mill damaged in fire in Coimbatore
Karur Vysya Bank strengthens footprint with new branches in Coimbatore, Madurai, Vizag
With these additions, KVB now operates 894 branches nationwide
Farmers urge scrapping of eastern bypass project in Coimbatore
Coimbatore photo studio documents the first 48 hours of a babys birth
BabyTrails Photography has tied-up with Kovai Medical Center and Hospitalin the city to document the first 48 hours of a new born and the drama than unfolds in front of the labour room
Witness the lunar eclipse 2025 through telescopes at a guided session in Coimbatore
Mango Educations session on the lunar eclipse is set to unfold at the PSG-GRD Museum of Science and Technology
MSMEs in Coimbatore demand reduction in GST
Raw material exhibition in Coimbatore from September 11 to 13
Lessons beyond books: Honouring teachers and their unique teaching methods
For centuries, we have had an indigenous education system in Gurukuls, where worldly knowledge and life lessons were imparted at an individual level. Here, a tailor-made approach to education was followed by combining academic learning and personalised guidance. Gurus like Dronacharya, after whom we have a National award, and Shah Waliullah, who advocated for a balanced approach blending Islamic scriptures and scientific studies worked towards holistic growth. This was the norm for decades. In 1835, Lord Macaulay played a pivotal role in the foundation of the modern, English-based education system in India. His Minute on Indian Education urged English language, Western science, and literature to be learnt by the people of the subcontinent they ruled. This move from the British was to supply their Government with English-educated Indian servants. Though the purpose was different, notable figures like Savitribai Phule, the first female teacher in India, Fatima Sheikh, the first Muslim woman teacher, Gijubhai Badheka, who introduced Montessori to the Indian education system, and many others, were pioneers who revolutionised our education system. Post Independence, the approach shifted to interpreting old knowledge and beliefs in the light of new needs and discoveries. From forming committees to understand the needs in education, to framing curricula that are on par with international standards, the Indian education system has evolved from guru-shishya tradition to international boards, blackboard to digital whiteboard, and history to AI. At the heart of all these advancements are teachers who stood rock solid and delivered time and again. This Teachers Day, we celebrate their adaptability to ever-changing technology, its lessons, and recognise their efforts in producing easy and creative methodologies catered to every individual student. Here are four such educators from across Tamil Nadu, who teach subjects the way a child wants to learn. Sumathi Nataraj Graduate teacher (English) Sumathi Nataraj from Tiruppur pursued her education in Tamil medium initially and then moved on to English medium. This shift was significant. But the challenges I faced are vastly different from todays context. Back then, resources were limited to books and teachers, she admits. Taking inspiration from her own difficulties, Sumathi took up a bilingual method of teaching a foreign language. In her classes, she uses Tamil as a medium of instruction to teach English. She notes, This method of teaching would certainly lay a foundation to understand the language. Learning a foreign language through ones mother tongue is like sensing the gentle breeze sitting on the mothers lap. Sumathi follows this method up to the primary level. Once they understand the basics, they would stop translating the thoughts into English; instead, they would only try to imbibe the concept and express themselves in the limited vocabulary, she says. Creating tunes to teach memory poems and using storytelling and mnemonic devices to teach other concepts, as they enhance understanding and retention, are some methods she uses. Aiding her in the journey is the British Councils Action Research Monitoring Scheme (ARMS) programme. Sumathi shares, The programme empowered me to refine language strategies and explore bilingual methods, enhancing my teaching effectiveness. In her view, research-based teaching methods like ARMS and storytelling share a common goal: to make learning engaging and effective. And bilingual instruction has proven effective in illuminating students understanding and boosting their communication and retention, she adds. The ultimate goal of this approach is to empower students with fluency in English and confidence in communication. I firmly believe that bilingual methodology can achieve dual objectives enabling students to express themselves effectively and accurately in diverse contexts, she says. Ibson T Head of school, TIPS Globeducate, Coimbatore Rote learning might get marks, but it doesnt always prepare children for the real world, says Ibson T. Many schools and educators have realised this, and are working towards classrooms where, beyond boards and chalks, the students see colourful charts with illustrations, equipment laid down to understand concepts, and videos viewed to bring lessons alive. Terming this a big shift, Ibson says, I see classrooms becoming more interactive, discussion-driven, and project-based. Students will no longer be passive listeners; in fact, theyll become active contributors. He cites an example where while teaching math, they bring in a real-life budgeting activity. This way, syllabus goals are met, but life skills are built at the same time, adds Ibson. The school follows experiential learning, inquiry-based projects, peer collaboration, and differentiated instruction that make concepts come alive. One of their initiatives is the Well-being Program, which aligns with the institutions core priority of emotional, social, and mental health in their learning programmes. In our first well-being session, Words That Hurt and Words That Heal, students learned through interactive games, videos, and group discussions, the importance of using kind, respectful, and thoughtful language, shares Ibson. The result of the session was that children became noticeably more mindful of their word choices, showing greater empathy toward peers. In his classroom, Ibson also uses role play, visual aids, digital simulations, gamification, and hands-on experiments. For example, teaching fractions through a pizza-making activity is both fun and unforgettable! he notes. This method of learning also lets students respond with curiosity and ownership. Instead of dreading subjects, they get excited about them, he points out. Ibsons message to other teachers would be: Curiosity is contagious; if you model it, students will catch it. Show them that you too, are learning, questioning, and excited about the world. That spark will spread. Induja Arul Private teacher, Cholan Kalvi Koodam, Kumbakonam In class 7, Induja Arul visited nearby schools, made students, along with her cousins, sit in a circle, and taught them English phonics, solved math problems, and explained complicated science concepts. This habit fuelled her to enrol in the governments teacher training course and become a teacher. She worked in a school for a year and eventually quit the job. It is better to work by yourself than to work for a brand. So, I moved out and started my own educational institute, she says. Established in 2010, Cholan Kalvi Koodam has trained more than 7,500 students. Here, she has individualised learning methods for each student. Each student has unique learning capabilities, so I use different Activity-Based Learning (ABL) for each one, she says. For instance, numbers are taught using beads. For Tamil phonics, she uses salt paper and cotton and moulds them into letters. These activities are important because they build a childs foundation. More than memorising, when they learn via touching, seeing and feeling, the remembering capacity is higher, she notes. Once the students are familiarised with the letters, she makes them form words, using the same tools. When she started out teaching in a small blue-painted room with books and charts, blackboard and monitors, and chalks and pencils, she wanted to make the syllabus easy. If not a teacher, I do not know what I would have become, she concludes. R Sheela Teacher for class 1, Government Welfare Primary School, T.Bomminayakkanpatti, Andipatti block, Theni A teacher who is not addressed as maam, miss, or teacher, but as amma. That is what R Sheela is for more than 250 students in her school. My students call me Sheela amma, and I am okay being one, says the teacher at Government Welfare Primary School, Theni. She did not aim to become a teacher, but her family situation turned over and she ended up being one. Known for her special education awareness and remedial teaching methods in the academic circle today, Sheela is recognised as a changemaker who turns classrooms into inclusive spaces of learning and hope. My motto is to turn every classroom into an inclusive one. Just because a kid is autistic or is slow in learning does not mean the student has to bear the mockery by fellow students or sit quietly in a class, she notes. Fun takes precedence in her classroom. Sheela says, My children have lots of fun in my class. They do not even know that I am teaching them a lesson from the book. Most of her classes include everyday occurrences as examples to help kids understand the concepts and how the world works. To teach simple ideas, such as what is hot and cold, she would explain it in 10 different ways. Some of them include A vessel taken out from the refrigerator and removed from the stove, the flask I carry my coffee in, and the water in my water bottle. Sheela says she comes up with these ideas on the spot. Not everyone will learn in the first go, some learn after making the same point again, some after three times, and some after 10. And, I put in the same effort to teach the children the first and the tenth time. My only goal is for the child to remember the concept lifelong, she notes. Beyond books, Sheela teaches her students craft, dance, moral values, safe and unsafe touch, and many more. Because for her, every conversation with every child counts, and the lessons truly matter.
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IIT Madras tops NIRF rankings again; Anna University, Coimbatore colleges shine in Tamil Nadu
IIT Madras also bagged top slot in the innovations category and the newly introduced Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) institutions category
NEW DELHI: IIT Madras has secured the top spot in the overall category for the seventh year in a row in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) rankings of higher educational institutions in the country announced by the Education Ministry. The No. 1 rank for the best engineering institute has also been secured by the premier institution, an honour it has achieved annually since the inception of these rankings in 2016. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Thursday released the India Rankings 2025 for Higher Educational Institutions at Bharat Mandapam. A total of 14,163 universities competed for the top spots in 17 sections. IIT Madras was rated the best in the Innovation Institutions and Sustainable Development Goals (SDG, a new introduction this year) categories, while it stood second in the Research category with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bengaluru, edging past it. IISc Bengaluru took the second rank in the 'Overall' category. Apart from beating IIT Madras to the top spot in the Research category, it has also been ranked the Best University in the country. The National Law School of Indian University (NLSIU) in the garden city was ranked the best Law college in India. A couple more reputed institutions add to Bengalurus honour list the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore was voted the second best management institute as well as the third best institute for Innovation. The only other institution in Karnataka to make it to the top three ranks is the Manipal Academy of Higher Education at Manipal, ranked the third best university in the country. IIT Bombay, which took the third spot in the overall ranking category, also bagged the third rank in the Engineering discipline as well as the second rank in the Innovation category. IIM Ahmedabad tops in the Management Institution category while IIT Roorkee takes the top spot in the Architecture and Planning category. Delhis performance AIIMS Delhi has been ranked the best for Medical Education as well as Dental while IIT Delhi is the top institute for Research. Two second ranks belong to Delhi the National Law University has been ranked the second best law college in the country while the Indian Agricultural Research Institute has been ranked the second best in SDG institutions. IIT Delhi is ranked the third best in the Research category. Delhi has six colleges figuring among the top ten in the country Hindu College (1), Miranda House (2), Hans Raj College (3), Kirori Mal College (4), St Stephens College (5) and Atma Ram Sanatan Dham College (7). Two Kolkata based colleges RamaKrishna Mission Vivekananda Centenary College (6th) and St Xaviers College (8th) find a place in the top ten. Surprisingly, two Coimbatore-based colleges PSGR Krishnammal College for Women PSG College of Arts and Science take the 9th and 10th slots. These are the rankings in the Open University category 1. Indira Gandhi National Open University, Delhi 2. Karnataka State Open University 3. U.P. Rajarshi Tandon Open University at Pragyaraj. The rankings are based on the National Institutional Ranking Framework launched in September 2015. The parameters assessed were Teaching, Learning & Resources; Research and Professional Practice; Graduation Outcome; Outreach and Inclusivity and Perception.
The untreated sewage has led to foul odour spreading across the airport and nearby residential areas, a matter that has been repeatedly raised with civic officials.
An Onam odyssey beyond borders
On the streets of Nagercoil, the days before Thiruvonam once meant hurried visits to crowded shops to buy Onakodi (Onam outfit). Writer Nanjil Nadan, who grew up in Nanjil Nadu, recalls that set- mundu or silk was beyond their means. We wore manja mundu (yellow dhoti). Most people were farmers, and we could not afford silk. Even getting three meals a day was a struggle, he says. Still, new clothes marked the festival, however modest. For us, Onam was always more important than Deepavali, he adds. That personal memory is reflective of how Onam travelled across borders and state lines. Nanjil Nadu, once part of Travancore, became part of Tamil Nadu only in 1956 after years of political struggle. Its people carried their Malayalam culture with them food, worship, language, and festivals. Onam endures as a marker of that history, still celebrated in border districts with a distinct flavour. Looking back into the history of Onam is a bit tedious, as there is no specific origin to this festival mentioned in history notes. Sociologist AM Kurup writes in The Sociology of Onam , The earliest known reference to Onam is found in Madurai Kanji, a Sangam poem from the 2nd century CE. It describes seven days of celebration in Madurai oblations to temples, duels and games, feasting, and a royal assembly where warriors, poets, and chieftains received gifts. Later inscriptions reveal how local assemblies institutionalised the festival. By the 16th century, travellers like Bartolommeo noted that Onam, celebrated over eight days, was dedicated to securing prosperity for the year, with people putting aside old pots, donning new clothes, and sharing food. Over time, power shifts transformed its religious landscape. Saivite sites gave way to Vaishnavite temples, and the presiding deity of Onam came to be identified with Vishnu. Kanniyakumari: A grandeur For Uma Sudhir, daughter of KT Sudhir who was once the president of Kanyakumari Malayali Samajam, Onam has become quieter with time. She recalls her childhood memories that involved gathering at her grandmothers house in Ernakulam, cousins laying pookalam together before the sadhya . Now, Onam is celebrated in individual homes. At the Samajam, we mark it on a convenient day, with competitions for schoolchildren, cultural programmes in Malayalam, and sometimes Pulikali on the streets. We also usually order in sadhya . Especially after Covid, things have become laid back. If there arent children at home, the pookalam is often skipped, she says. For Nanjil Nadan, Onams deep-rooted cultural connections remain strong through food. These days, everyone in Tamil Nadu just calls it payasam . But for us, its pradhaman . Ada Pradhaman, Paal Pradhaman theres always some kind of pradhaman . We dont make just any dessert for Onam. Also, we dont make non-veg for Onam, but we make it for Deepavali, he shares. Celebrations also spilled into the community. Under the tamarind trees, swings made of thick coir rope carried children and grandmothers alike. That marked the beginning of the festival. During Onam, theyd show some great Malayalam movies, he recalls. It was a rare chance for us. Thats how we got to see films like Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha . Music also filled the houses. We sang Maveli Naadu Vaanidum Kaalam , he adds. Today, the writer lives in Coimbatore. Ive lived here for 36 years. Onam is such a joyful festival. The citys diversity shapes its celebrations. About 35% of the people here are Malayalis, and the remaining are Telugu and Tamil speakers. So, its pretty cosmopolitan. Its not a distinctly Malayali festival. Basically, everyone celebrates it. Coimbatore: A porous border Artist Jitha Karthikeyan sees Onam in Coimbatore as inseparable from Kerala. From here, Valayar is just half an hour away. People go to Palakkad even for lunch, if they crave a Kerala meal, she says. The proximity keeps the culture alive in everyday life, not just during Onam. Now, she is struck by how porous the festival has become. I see Tamil and Telugu households making pookalam . Hotels are full with sadhya bookings from people who arent Malayalis. Festivals are no longer confined everyone celebrates what they find beautiful. Palakkad: A floral memory On the other side of the border, in Kalpathi, Palakkad, postmaster MN Lathadevi remembers the colours of the flowers that dominated houses. We used to put poochedi poovu , mukkutti poovu , thumbappoo , chembarathi , roses, and nithyakalyani . From Atham , we put pookalam for ten days. On Pooradam , we made matheru (small conical clay idols), on Uthradam three matherus , and on Thiruvonam we placed Maveli, she says. Each stage carried meaning. Pooradam is childrens Onam, Uthradam the elders, Thiruvonam everyones, and Avittam is for the married daughters who return to their homes. Today, marigolds from Tamil Nadu dominate, filling the absence of native blooms. Chennai: The many Onams In Chennai, Onam unfolds through associations and apartments. Pankajam Jayaram, who moved from Kannur 50 years ago, sees the contrast. We have to buy flowers and ingredients here. My mother made everything herself in Kerala, but in Chennai, we often order sadhya . Still, we share payasam with our neighbours. For businessman Manoharan Nambiar, the festival is a community stage. We celebrate in our apartment complex with about 50 Malayali families. Theres pookalam judged by celebrities, Mahabali goes around all the towers with chenda melam, and there are plays in English. We also serve free food to our housekeeping and security staff, he says. Meanwhile, Kudumbashree member Rejani Manohar recalls, Since ours is an all-women team, we made a woman Mahabali. In her household, Thalassery roots mean that the second days meal includes chicken biryani and date pickle served on banana leaves. Functionally, Onam plays a prominent role in the social integration of Keralites, irrespective of caste or creed. The rulers and the ruled, the employers and the employees, the landlords and the serfs, the high and the low all endeavour to achieve a common goal, share a common dream, and reflect the same aspirations, writes Kurup. Perhaps thats why Onam never sat still. It reappears in new places. For Jitha, what endures beyond geography or ritual is a shared ethos. Basically, it is about welcoming whether its a king in the legend, or simply a guest at the door. You may live in a tiny house, but you still clean the entrance, lay flowers, and serve food. That is our culture of hospitality. Let us take the spirit of oneness from it and celebrate, she concludes.
Awareness camp on bulk waste management in Coimbatore on September 12
Teachers honoured at SSVM Transforming India Conclave in Coimbatore
Young innovators selected for Studentpreneur Awards 2025 in Coimbatore
Personnel of special units in Coimbatore City Police get vests
DMK criticises Centre over US tariffs, warns of crisis in Tiruppur industry
DMK has questioned the BJP-led Centres silence as US tariffs disrupt Tamil Nadus textile exports, especially from Tiruppur and Coimbatore. With Rs 12,000 crore exports at risk and nearly five lakh jobs threatened, the party has demanded urgent relief measures and a special package to safeguard industries in the western region.
Pickleball craze peaks with gala tourney in city
The past weekend saw Thiruvananthapuram host a unique sporting event that nudged an already growing trend a step higher. The TrivandrumPickleballOpen, a world ranking 50 event, drew over 100 national-level players to the city. Visakh VS Among the competitors were Visakh V S, India No 4 in the 35+ category and winner of multiple PWR 100 titles, and Vineet R Nair, a semi-finalist at the CoimbatorePickleballOpen. Several local and state players also vied for the Rs 66,000 prize money and vouchers. The tournament reflects how fastpickleballhas caught on in the city in just a couple of years. Around six or seven courts now exist, and a high-profile one is coming up at Golf Links, Kowdiar, tipped to be among the most scenic in India. The players are from all age groups, but the above-35 crowd dominates. Its an easier version of tennis and badminton, demanding less physical strain while offering similar health benefits. Maybe thats why its becoming popular, says Ajay Thomas, co-founder of Spinz Academy. The Spinz, opened earlier this year, is one of the new spaces dedicated to the sport. In Kochi, too, this is growing fast, Ajay adds. Visakh, a city resident and vice-president at a Hyderabad-based MNC, is ranked four among Indianpickleballplayers and has represented India at the Asian Open in Thailand. When he picked up the game in 2021, few had heard of it. Post-pandemic, I was playing at Trivandrum Tennis Club when some US players introduced it. At first it was just a leisure activity on weekends. Soon, around 50 of us were playing on makeshift courts. That led me to represent India, which gave the game a push here. TTC then built an exclusive court, and now the city has about seven, including one at Kowdiar for residents of that locality, says Visakh, who also serves as state secretary of thePickleballAssociation of Kerala. From here, it spread to other parts of Kerala. Today there are 25 courts across the state, expected to touch 40 next year. Pickleballoriginated in the US in the 1960s, its quirky name linked to a family dog called Pickle who chased balls. The sport blends elements of badminton, tennis, table tennis and squash. Its addictive. People pick it up in minutes and begin hitting flashy shots, which gives a quick sense of achievement. That keeps them coming back, Visakh says. Its universal appeal also lies in accessibility. Even those in their 60s can compete and win. Unlike sports demanding peak fitness in your 20s,pickleballoffers longevity, he adds. The flagship Saturday event drew 130 entries across categories, including participants from neighbouring states and 1520 women. It was akin to the ATP tours in tennis, and we plan to hold more such tournaments here, says Jayamurali V, secretary of the Trivandrum DistrictPickleballAssociation. Family teams also turned up. There were husband-wife pairs, siblings it shows how accessible the game is. You can even set up a court at home, says Visakh, who was recently elected to the executive board of the IndianPickleballAssociation, now recognised by the Sports Authority of India and the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs. The sports surge is hardly confined to Kerala. Across India, tennis players, especially Davis Cuppers, find they adapt quickly. Celebrities too have caught the bug, from Saina Nehwal to actor Shahid Kapoor and his wife Mira. In Thiruvananthapuram, cricketer Sanju Samson has taken to it, while Prince Aditya Varma has become a patron. It wont be long beforepickleballenters schools, and maybe even the Olympics, Visakh concludes.
The DMK criticizes the central government's inaction regarding the impact of US tariffs on Tamil Nadu's textile industry, particularly in the Tiruppur and Coimbatore regions. Citing potential job losses and industrial unit closures, the DMK demands a special fund package from PM Modi to protect the affected industries.
Alangad jaggery in demand, farmers to scale up sugarcane production
KOCHI: With the demand for Alangad jaggery registering a sharp rise just a year after launch of production, the Alangad Cooperative Society has decided to extend sugarcane cultivation to 50 acres in a bid to ramp up production. While the jaggery brought from other states is sold at `60 to `70 per kg, Alangad jaggery costs `200 per kg. Yet, many temples and ayurveda medicine manufacturers have approached the society, demanding a steady supply of jaggery. The immediate plan is to extend cultivation to 25 acres by November from the current 15, according to society president P J Davis. Alangad, located on the banks of the Periyar, had a tradition of jaggery-making, which was discontinued around four decades ago. In 2023, the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) contacted Alangad panchayat to revive sugarcane cultivation. The KVK brought in the CO 86032 variety, a high-yielding and disease-resistant sugarcane strain, from the Coimbatore Sugarcane Breeding Institute and the Alangad Cooperative Society came forward to support the initiative. Sugarcane cultivation was started in January that year and a jaggery-making plant was established on the society premises in 2024. The plant produces 500 kg of jaggery per day, which the society is planning to raise to 1,500 kg. Now, 24 farmers are cultivating sugarcane on 15 acres and the society planted sugarcane on three acres. Once the cultivation is extended to 25 acres, we will be able to increase production by the next Onam season, Davis told TNIE. Workers at the jaggery making unit of Alangad Cooperative Society He said the silt deposit from the Periyar over centuries has made the soil mineral-rich and the sugarcane cultivated here has low salt content. Though the price of jaggery is high, we are receiving enquiries from across the state. The bank will provide seeds, fertilisers and interest free loans to farmers, Davis said. Varghese P A, a farmer, said he has cultivated sugarcane on 1.5 acres as the bank offered support. Compared to paddy, the expense for sugarcane cultivation is low and the bank has offered Rs 8 per kg of sugarcane. We are yet to harvest it, but Im confident it will be profitable, he said. Varghese recalled that the whole area was under sugarcane cultivation in his childhood days. But the practice was discontinued around 40 years ago. We stopped paddy cultivation four years ago and the land was left fallow. With the bank offering support, I decided to take up the challenge. Now, more farmers have come forward to cultivate sugarcane, he said. KVK programme coordinator and scientist Shinoj Subramanian said they promoted sugarcane cultivation at Alangad as farmers stopped paddy cultivation citing losses. We encouraged the farmers to try crop diversification to improve their livelihood. We have partnered with the Alangad panchayat and the Alangad Cooperative Society to support the farmers. There is demand for the jaggery made here as there is no adulteration, Shinoj said. Alangad Jaggery in Numbers Production: 500 kg per day Area under sugarcane cultivation: 15 acres Price offered to farmers: L8 per kg of sugarcane Alangad Cooperative Society plans To extend cultivation to 25 acres by November To raise production to 1,500 kg per day by August 2026 Price Alangad Jaggery: L200 per kg Other jaggery: L60 to L70
Customs officials seize smuggled goods at Coimbatore Airport
CMRL submitted the DPR for the Coimbatore Metro to the Union Government in February 2024, estimating the project cost at 10,740 crore; final approval is awaited.
Cage placed to capture leopard in village near Coimbatore
Coimbatore entrepreneur launches social media platform that focuses on content
Three-day Transforming India Conclave 2025 under way at SSVM Group of Institutions in Coimbatore
FM Sitharaman chairs textile industry representatives meet on economic challenges
CHENNAI, Sept 2: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman chaired an interactive meeting with the representatives of the textile industry here on Tuesday in the backdrop of economic challenges affecting the sector including concerns over the US tariff of 50 per cent. BJPs Tamil Nadu state chief Nainar Nagenthiran and BJP national womens wing president and Coimbatore South MLA Vanathi Srinivasan, too, participated. Recently, Chief Minister M K Stalin had claimed that the US tariff hike to 50 per cent has [] The post FM Sitharaman chairs textile industry representatives meet on economic challenges appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Coimbatores KG Cinemas revamps movie screens for an immersive experience
The over four-decade-old KG cinemas revamps movie screens with luxury interiors, plush seats, and cutting edge projection technology for an immersive experience
Amid rain pain, govt says veggie output enough for Onam
KOCHI: Despite the best efforts of the state government in achieving self sufficiency in vegetable production, farmers have been at the receiving end this Onam. Heavy rain that lashed the state over the past three months have destroyed crops and shattered their hopes of fruitful harvest. While integrated farming has helped increase the area under cultivation, there has been a decline in output. However, the agriculture department says most of the demand for Onam will be met with domestic production, with only a few items such as big onion, shallot, tomato, potato, okra, etc., being purchased from other states. The department will organise 2,000 vegetable markets across the state from September 1-4 to ensure availability of vegetables at reasonable rates. Of these, 1,074 will be organised by the department, with Horticorp and Vegetable and Fruit Promotion Council Keralam (VFPCK) holding 764 and 162 respectively. Horticorp will purchase 1,700 tonnes of vegetables for its Onam markets, of which 500 tonnes will be procured directly from farmers and 1,200 tonnes from suppliers. Around 300 tonnes of big onion have been procured from Pune. VFPCK will procure 272 tonnes of vegetables, with 191 tonnes purchased from farmers. The vegetables will be sold at a 10-20% discounted rate. The state government has provided `65,000 for each market of which Rs 50,000 is for procurement and `15,000 to meet infrastructure costs. Horticorp and VFPCK procure the bulk of cool-weather crops such as carrot, beans, cabbage, potato and garlic from Vattavada and Kanthalloor. However, production has been poor this year due to intermittent rains and increased infiltration by wild animals, including elephants and Indian gaur. Attappadi will meet nearly 75% of the shallot required for Onam markets this season. Shallot farming introduced in Attappadi on an experimental basis has been a huge success, said VFPCK Palakkad district manager Bindumol. While districts such as Thiruvananthapuram, Alappuzha, Thrissur, Idukki and Malappuram have recorded a steady increase in vegetable production, Palakkad leads in the state with 6,000 tonnes of output this Onam season. The Elavanchery Swasraya Karshaka Samithi in Palakkad has sold vegetables worth Rs 11 crore. There are 230 farmers under the samithi and 85% of them cultivate vegetables on leased land. Production has been low this year and many farmers have suffered huge losses. Continuous rainfall for 65 days destroyed the crops, said samithi president P V Prasad. I cultivate bitter gourd, snake gourd, ash gourd, pumpkin, long beans and ridge gourd on 20 acres of land. My family owns eight acres of land and we leased another 12 acres. Last year, we sold vegetables worth `1 crore, but this year production is down around 30%. Traders from Pollachi and Coimbatore also purchase our products regularly, said R Sivadasan, who recently bagged the Haritha Mitra Award. Production has been low this Onam and we are staring at a huge loss. If the rains subside we will be able to earn some profit during the second season. I cultivate vegetables like bitter gourd and snake gourd on my 10 acres of leased farmland. Last year, I managed to sell vegetables worth `1 crore but this time returns have not been encouraging, said C R Padmanabhan, another farmer.
Country-made pistol, 18 live rounds seized from robbery case accused at Sulur in Coimbatore
Forest Department awaits nod for capture of wild elephant nicknamed Rolex in Coimbatore
Coimbatore District Police get eight vehicles for Quick Reaction Teams
50 crore additional fund sought for Semmozhi Poonga project in Coimbatore
Members of Marumalarchi Makkal Iyakkam stage protest in Coimbatore
Nine police stations across Coimbatore district upgraded with Inspectors as SHO
Short film contest on road safety held in Coimbatore
Dance drama on poet Andal staged in Coimbatore
Onam is here: Savour Onasadya in Coimbatore with 28 dishes
From avial to payasam, enjoy a feast of 28 dishes in a traditional onasadya meal at Rasanai
16-Year-Old Indian Player Enters US Open Junior Singles 2nd round
The unseeded 16-year-old, who hails from Coimbatore and trained at the Rafael Nadal Academy in Mallorca
Ceremonial processions, immersion of Vinayaka idols conclude in Coimbatore district
Boat house at Valankulam in Coimbatore ceases operations after poor patronage
Juvenile held for hurling stone at loco engine in Coimbatore
Sadhguru triumphantly completed the Kailash Yatra on his motorcycle, returning to a grand welcome at the Isha Yoga Center in Coimbatore. This feat comes just 18 months after undergoing emergency brain surgeries. He attributed his successful journey to the power of yoga, stating it connects individuals to their inner source of creation, effortlessly overcoming challenges.
90 years ago, two institutions that played pioneering role in shaping Tamil cinema, began their path
Madras was not the epicentre of film studios and production in the 1930s. Salem housed Modern Theatres and Jupiter Pictures occupied Central Studios in Coimbatore. Later, Jupiter Pictures went on to establish Neptune Studios in Madras
Case made for improving Mettupalayam-Coimbatore bus services during night hours
Vellimalaipattinam residents in Coimbatore block road seeking protection from wild elephant
Training programme for newly-recruited work inspectors begins in Coimbatore
Tamil Nadu: How Check Dams Keep Drought in Check in Coimbatore District
In Coimbatore, small-scale government works have turned dry fields green again, restoring both water and hope.
Minister Shivraj Chouhan urges farmers to drop chemical pesticides, adopt natural farming
BENGALURU: The future of farming lies in moving away from chemical pesticides and adopting sustainable, science-driven alternatives, Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said on Friday. He was speaking during his visit to the ICARNational Bureau of Agricultural Insect Resources (NBAIR) and ICAR National Institute of Veterinary Epidemiology and Disease Informatics (NIVEDI), where he reviewed research activities and interacted with farmers. Chouhan reiterated that Prime Minister Narendra Modis vision is not only to make India self-reliant in food production but also to ensure that farming becomes a profitable profession. We are already Atmanirbhar (self-reliant) in wheat and rice, and our basmati exports are strong. The challenge now is to increase farmers incomes while safeguarding their health and the environment. We cannot compromise on anything that harms farmers, he said. Highlighting the struggles of cultivators, the Union minister pointed out that crops like sugarcane suffer from red rot and stem borer infestations, while cotton farmers in Coimbatore are battling pests such as the pink bollworm, leading to less than 50% production in Bt cotton. The minister also asked the institute to prepare a white paper on alternatives to pesticides, including the use of bio-pesticides, microbial solutions, and RNA-based technologies, which could both protect crops and ensure higher yields without harming beneficial organisms. If we adopt these methods, the cost of cultivation will come down and farmers profits will increase, he added. During the visit, Dr SN Sushil, Director of ICAR-NBAIR, briefed the minister on ongoing research, including projects on double-stranded RNA for virus resistance, and the development of biopesticides to reduce pest load. The director acknowledged that while central laboratories and state units are engaged in bio-pesticide work, maintaining quality remains a challenge. To address this, he proposed agricultural universities should establish bio-resource centres to provide farmers with nucleus cultures, training, and technical guidance.
Coimbatore Mahila Court awards life term to two men in separate murder cases
Nagapattinam native gets double life term for Coimbatore transwomans murder in 2020
The proposals were cleared with the objective of easing traffic congestion and meeting the growing parking demand on Crosscut Road, at Raja Street, and Race Course in the city
Helplines set up for TNPSC examination in Coimbatore on August 31
An agency will be appointed to carry out the credit rating for the bond issue. The borrowing will be in line with the SEBI regulations, says Corporation Commissioner M. Sivaguru Prabakaran
Kurichi lake in Coimbatore is now an evening destination for walkers and families
Kurichi, one of the citys most beloved lakes, is turning into a destination for walkers, joggers, and the romantics who like to sit still and stare at the rivers gentle ripples
Demand-supply gap: Soaring flower prices put a damper on festivities
KOCHI: With festivities having commenced on Tuesday with the dawn of Atham, Keralites are on a frantic purchasing spree, with flowers being at the top of their Onam shopping list. For the next few days, colleges, government and private offices and cultural organisations will be organising Onam celebrations, with the main attraction being competitions for making the traditional Onapookkalam or floral carpets. This is the most lucrative season for traders as Malayalees will be splurging on festive necessities these days. However, the soaring prices of flowers during the festival season have posed a concern to both traders and customers. Though traders in the city buy flowers from Thovalai and Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu during Onam, the prices remain high due to heavy demand. As Vinayaka Chathurthi fell on Wednesday, temple officials and organisers of festivities have been purchasing flowers in huge quantities, which has added to the demand. During the past two festive seasons, marigold prices remained low as farmers in the district had cultivated the flower for the Onam market. However, many including farmers in Karumaloor, Alangad, Kadungalloor and Veliyathunadu did not grow the flowers this year as they had suffered huge losses due to heavy rains in 2024, resulting in the spike in prices. On Monday, Marigold was sold for Rs 250 per kg. The shop owners said the rates will remain high for the next couple of days. The farmers in Alangad panchayat were not keen to cultivate marigold this year as they had suffered losses last year. We have formed a 500-member farmers producer company where we are planning to create value-added agricultural products. Only a few farmers have cultivated flowers and vegetables for Onam this year. These products are being sold at the Agrifest at Kalamassery from August 26, said CPM Karshaka Sangham Alangad panchayat vice-president K P Mohamed Iqbal. We have cultivated marigold in a 10-cent plot and will be selling the flowers at the rate of Rs 200 per kg. My family has been growing flowers for the Onam season for the past three years. However, we could not cultivate them in huge quantities this year, said Noushad, a cultivator from Chirayam. At Thadiyakadavu in Veliyathunadu, a five-member Kudumbashree unit led by Faseeja cultivated marigold in 50 cents of land. Last year, we cultivated marigold in 1.5 acres of land but there was no profit as the rain destroyed the plants. We had to pluck the flowers in the morning and take them to Paravur where the traders gave us Rs 50 per kg. It was a bitter experience, said Faseeja. Her friends Sainaba, Laila, Sunitha and Shamla had been tending the plants with care, expecting reasonable prices. Flower prices soar as festive season begins, supply dwindlesin Tamil Nadu
Traffic diversions in Coimbatore on August 29 for immersion of Vinayaka idols
Man found murdered at R.S. Puram in Coimbatore
Coimbatore combined court complex, Tiruppur Collectorate get bomb threat
Leopard found dead near Coimbatore
Bomb threat mail sent to Coimbatore Collectorate turns a hoax
Checks were carried out in all the buildings and the parking area in an hour-long operation
Construction of garbage transfer station at Kavundampalayam in Coimbatore nearing completion
Municipal Administration Minister K.N. Nehru inspected the site recently and instructed officials to complete the work within schedule
Opposition VP pick Sudershan Reddy in Lucknow to hold deliberations with Congress, SP leaders
LUCKNOW: Opposition vice presidential candidate B Sudershan Reddy will on Tuesday hold deliberations here with leaders of the Congress and Samajwadi Party, two key INDIA bloc constituents. Reddy, a former Supreme Court judge, was welcomed at the airport here this morning by a number of Congress and SP workers waving their party flags. UP Congress president Ajay Rai, state in-charge Avinash Pande and senior leader Pramod Tiwari, among others, received Reddy. I have come here to meet the veteran leaders of political parties. I'll be meeting the SP president (Akhilesh Yadav) and the Congress president (Ajay Rai) will be with me, Reddy told PTI Videos. Grateful that those not in INDIA bloc coming forward to help me, he said. On his criticism by ruling NDA leaders, Reddy said, I have said enough about it and do not wish to talk. On Amit Shah's 'supporting' naxalism charge against him, he said I don't want to expand debate and say anything. Home Minister Amit Shah had accused Reddy of supporting Naxalism and had claimed that Left Wing Extremism would have ended by 2020 in the absence of the Salwa Judum judgement. Reddy along with Justice S S Nijjar was part of an apex court bench that had in July 2011 ordered the disbanding of Salwa Judum, ruling that using tribal youths as Special Police Officers in the fight against Maoist insurgents was illegal and unconstitutional. During his visit, Reddy is also expected to address a joint press conference with Yadav later in the day. VP election not merely about individual, its about reaffirming idea of India: Opposition nominee B Sudarshan Reddy The stage is set for a direct contest between ruling NDA nominee C P Radhakrishnan and joint opposition candidate Reddy for the September 9 vice-presidential election, in what is being described as a south versus south battle as both hail from south India. While Radhakrishnan is a BJP veteran from Tamil Nadu, Reddy is a former Supreme Court judge who hails from Telangana. The vice-presidential poll, necessitated by the sudden resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar recently, has been described by the opposition as an ideological battle, even as the numbers are stacked in favour of the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Reddy (79), who retired from the apex court in July 2011, is a veteran jurist known for several landmark judgments criticising the then Union government for showing slackness in probing blackmoney cases. Radhakrishnan (67) served as a two-term member of the Lok Sabha from Coimbatore during the tenure of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and later, went on to lead the saffron party in Tamil Nadu. Vice-President candidate Sudershan Reddy labelled Naxal to hide Centres fault, says CM Stalin Constitution under challenge, democracy in deficit: Opposition's VP pick B Sudershan Reddy
Coimbatore City Police allot dedicated mobile numbers to patrol units, unveil all-in-one QR code
Inquire into caste-bias by TNSTC, Coimbatore: Tamil Nadu SC/ST Commission
Improve train connectivity to Southern districts, Coimbatore MP urges Railways
Vendors encroach upon streets in Coimbatore due to delay in setting up of vending zones
Residents living near cement plant at Madukkarai in Coimbatore report dust and smoke pollution
VGM Hospital inaugurates dialysis centre in Coimbatore
Animal welfare groups conduct rally calling for increased stray dog sterilisation in Coimbatore
