குன்னூர்&மேட்டுப்பாளையம் சாலையில் காட்டேரி அருகே நிலச்சரிவு ஏற்பட்ட பகுதியில் தடுப்பு சுவர் அமைக்கும் பணி தீவிரமாக நடந்து வருகிறது. இதனை தேசிய நெடுஞ்சாலை துறை கோவை கோட்ட திட்ட உதவி இயக்குனர் சரவணன் நேற்று ஆய்வு செய்தார்.

குன்னூர், டிச.7:

குன்னூர், டிச.7:நிலச்சரிவு ஏற்பட்ட இடங்களில் தடுப்பு சுவர் கட்டும் பணியை நெடுஞ்சாலைத்துறை உதவி திட்ட இயக்குநர் சரவணன் நேற்று ஆய்வு செய்தார்.நீலகிரி மாவட்டத்தில் கடந்த மாதம் ஏற்பட்ட கனமழையால் நிலச்சரிவு ஏற்பட்டு 42 பேர் பலியாயினர். சாலைகள், மலை ரயில் பாதைகள் துண்டிக்கப்பட்டன. இவற்றை சீரமைக்கும் பணி முழுவீச்சில் நடந்து வருகிறது. மேட்டுப்பாளையத்தில் இருந்து கோத்தகிரி சென்று, அங்கிருந்து மாற்றுப்பாதையில் ஊட்டிக்கு வாகனங்கள் செல்கின்றன. இதேபோல் ஊட்டி& குன்னூர் இடையே இலகு ரக வாகனங்கள் சென்று வருகின்றன.மேட்டுப்பாளையம்& குன்னூர் இடையே பல இடங்களில் பெரிய அளவில் நிலச்சரிவு ஏற்பட்டதால் அங்கு சீரமைப்பு முடிய ஒரு மாதம் ஆகும் என எதிர்பார்க்கப்படுகிறது. தற்போது கல்லார் முதல் ஊட்டி வரை பல இடங்களில் நெடுஞ்சாலைத்துறை சார்பில் தடுப்புசுவர் கட்டும் பணி நடந்து வருகிறது.நெடுஞ்சாலைத்துறை உதவி திட்ட இயக்குநர் சரவணன் தலைமையில் அதிகாரிகள் நேற்று தடுப்பு சுவர் பணியை ஆய்வு செய்தனர். சிமென்ட் கலவைகள் முறையாக கலக்கப்பட்டு தரமாக கட்டப்படுகிறதா என சோதித்தனர்.பின்னர் சரவணன் கூறியதாவது:மழை ஓய்ந்துவிட்டதால் சாலை சீரமைப்பு பணி முழுவீச்சில் நடந்து வருகிறது. பெரிய அளவில் நிலச்சரிவு ஏற்பட்ட பகுதிகளில் தடுப்புசுவர் உயரமாக கட்டப்படுகிறது. மீண்டும் நிலச்சரிவு ஏற்பட்டாலும் சாலையில் மண்திட்டுகளை தாங்கும் வகையில் கட்டப்படுகிறது. 3 பேர் கொண்ட பொறியாளர்கள் குழுவினர் பணியை கண்காணித்து வருகின்றனர். ஒரு மாதத்தில் பணிகள் முடியும்.இவ்வாறு சரவணன் கூறினார்.

Extensive damage: Singara Estate near Coonoor.

The member estates of the Nilgiri Planters Association (NPA) have suffered a total loss of about Rs. 4 crore in the torrential rain which lashed many parts of the district recently, according to its chairman Jiten Pareek.

In a press note issued here on Saturday, he pointed out that apart from the huge loss the working of many plantations had been seriously affected.

Stating that this year the North-East monsoon rains have been unusually heavy, he said that as compared to the total rainfall of 77 cms recorded between January and October 2009, the rainfall recorded between November 9 and 11 was 82 cms. It had caused extensive damage in the member estates to tea fields, roads, buildings, retaining walls and drains. For nearly a week the field operations in many tea estates were severely affected. Many of the streams had changed course and tonnes of top soil washed away.

The loss of the rich top soil can never be made up. The worst affected areas of the plantations were the new clearings and replanted areas. Pointing out that most of these areas had become vulnerable to mortality of tea bushes, Mr. Pareek said that it was a huge capital loss.

In the incessant rains, about 15 acres of tea had been damaged in the member estates. Among the plantations affected were Nonsuch Estate, Kil Kotagiri Estate, Kairbetta Estate, Singara Estate, Erinkadu Estate, Coonoor Tea Estate, Craigmore Estate, Chamraj Estate, Kotada Estate, Thiashola Estate, Glendale Estate, Parkside Estate, Mailoor Estate and Katery Estate. Owing to the attendance being affected by the continuous rains and loss of working days, tea production had been hit.

Since power supply was erratic, dependence was more than usual on generators. This added to the cost of production. Due to restrictions imposed on freight vehicles, firewood requirements could not be met. The cost of transporting tea to the plains had also gone up.

Claiming that the damage to buildings including workers’ quarters, revetments, drains, roads and pathways in various estates had been severe, Mr. Pareek said that the subsidy scheme for constructing retaining walls should be revived. He appealed to the government to extend financial assistance to take up soil and water conservation works. “The scheme can be executed under the Hill Area Development Programme. It will not only be of considerable help to the managements but also have a long-term impact on the respective areas,” he said.

Source: The Hindu

‘Restoration works on a war footing’

Udhagamandalam: The Ooty-Coonoor stretch of the landslide-hit Mettupalayam-Ooty National Highway was thrown open to light vehicle traffic on Friday.

The first vehicle was flagged off at the Lovedale junction by the Khadi Board Minister, K.Ramachandran in the presence of the Nilgiris Collector Anandrao V.Patil and the Team Leader, National Highways, Haridass Naidu.

Later, Mr.Ramachandran told presspersons that restoration works in various flood- and landslide-hit areas had been taken up on a war footing.

Pointing out that various sections of the national and state highways were being thrown open in a systematic manner for the convenience of the travelling public, the Minister said that descending light vehicles would be allowed on the Ooty-Coonoor stretch.

Vehicles coming towards Ooty from Coonoor would continue to be diverted via Old Aruvankadu, Achanakkal and Lovedale.

Adverting to the construction of temporary shelters at Ketti for the affected families, Mr. Ramachandran said that the work would be completed by December 12.

From THE HINDU

fashion show Ooty

ஊட்டி குட்ஷெப்பர்டு சர்வசேத பள்ளியில் மாணவ, மாணவிகள் ஆடை அலங்கார போட்டி நேற்று நடந்தது. இதில், ஒய்யாரமாக நடந்து வந்த மாணவிகள்.

Khadi Board Minister K.Ramachandran overseeing resumption of light vehicle traffic on Ooty-Coonoor Road on Friday.

Udhagamandalam: The Ooty-Coonoor stretch of the landslide-hit Mettupalayam-Ooty National Highway was thrown open to light vehicle traffic on Friday.

The first vehicle was flagged off at the Lovedale junction by the Khadi Board Minister, K.Ramachandran in the presence of the Nilgiris Collector Anandrao V.Patil and the Team Leader, National Highways, Haridass Naidu.

Later, Mr.Ramachandran told presspersons that restoration works in various flood- and landslide-hit areas had been taken up on a war footing.

Pointing out that various sections of the national and state highways were being thrown open in a systematic manner for the convenience of the travelling public, the Minister said that descending light vehicles would be allowed on the Ooty-Coonoor stretch.

Vehicles coming towards Ooty from Coonoor would continue to be diverted via Old Aruvankadu, Achanakkal and Lovedale.

Adverting to the construction of temporary shelters at Ketti for the affected families, Mr. Ramachandran said that the work would be completed by December 12.

SOURCE: THE HINDU

Coonoor - Ooty road

ஊட்டி ஒரு மாதத்திற்கு பின் ஊட்டி & குன்னூர் சாலையில் இலகுரக வாகன போக்குவரத்தை அமைச்சர் ராமச்சந்திரன் நேற்று துவக்கி வைத்தார்.
கடந்த மாதம் பெய்த மழையின் காரணமாக நீலகிரியில் ஆயிரத்திற்கும் மேற்பட்ட இடங்களில் நிலச்சரிவு ஏற்பட்டது. இதனால், 60க்கும் மேற்பட்ட வீடுகள் மண்ணில் புதைந்தன. இதில், 44 பேர் உயிரிழந்தனர். மேலும், மாவட்டத்தில் உள்ள முக்கிய சாலைகளான ஊட்டி & குன்னூர் சாலை, ஊட்டி & கோத்தகிரி சாலை மற்றும் குன்னூர் & மேட்டுப்பாளையம் சாலை உட்பட பல சாலைகளில் நிலச்சரிவு ஏற்பட்டு சாலைகள் துண்டிக்கப்பட்டன. இதனால், போக்குவரத்து முற்றிலும் தடைப்பட்டது.
இந்நிலையில், நெடுஞ்சாலைத்துறையினர் தீவிர முயற்சிகள் மேற்கொண்டதையடுத்து ஊட்டி & கோத்தகிரி சாலையில், தற்காலிக சாலை அமைக்கப்பட்டு கடந்த 10 நாட்களுக்கு முன் அரசு பஸ்கள் மற்றும் இலகுரக வாகன போக்கவரத்து துவங்கியது.
ஆனால், ஊட்டி & குன்னூர் சாலை தேசிய நெடுஞ்சாலைத்துறை ஆணையத்தின் கட்டுப்பாட்டில் இருந்த சாலையில் மட்டும் போக்குவரத்து துவங்கப்படாமல் இருந்தது. ஊட்டி & குன்னூர் இடையே வாகனங்கள் செல்லாத நிலையில், அனைத்து வாகனங்களும் மாற்று பாதைகளில் இயங்கி வந்தன. இதனால், பொதுமக்கள் கடும் அவதிக்குள்ளாகினர்.
இதனை தொடர்ந்து தமிழக கதர் வாரியத்துறை அமைச்சர் ராமச்சந்திரன் தேசிய நெடுஞ்சாலைத்துறை ஆணை அதிகாரிகளிடம் ‘ஒரு வாரத்திற்குள் தற்காலிக சாலை அமைக்கப்பட்டு குன்னூர் & ஊட்டி இடையே இரு சக்கர வாகனம் மற்றும் இலகுரக வாகனங்கள் செல்ல சாலையை சீரமைத்து தர வேண்டும்‘ என கேட்டுக் கொண்டார். இதனை தொடர்ந்து தேசிய நெடுஞ்சாலைத்துறை ஆணையம் தற்காலிகமாக சாலை அமைத்தது. எனினும், தொடர்ந்து இச்சாலையில் சீரமைப்பு பணிகள் நடந்து வருகிறது. இந்நிலையில், நேற்று காலை முதல் ஊட்டி & குன்னூர் இடையே நேர் வழியில் இலகுரக வாகன போக்குவரத்து துவக்கப்பட்டது.
ஊட்டி அருகேயுள்ள லவ்டேல் சந்திப்பு அருகே நடந்த நிகழ்ச்சி ஒன்றியல் தமிழக கதர் வாரியத்துறை அமைச்சர் ராமச்சந்திரன் மற்றும் நீலகிரி மாவட்ட கலெக்டர் ஆகியோர் கலந்துக் கொண்டு ஊட்டி & குன்னூர் சாலையில் இலகுரக வாகன போக்குவரத்தை நேற்று துவக்கி வைத்தனர். இதனால், நேற்று முதல் ஊட்டி & குன்னூர் இடையே வாகன போக்கவரத்து துவங்கியது. இதனால் பொதுமக்கள் மகிழ்ச்சி யடைந்தனர். எனினும், கனரக வாகனங்கள் செல்ல தடை தொடர்ந்து நீடிக்கிறது.

ஜெ.எஸ்.எஸ். பார்மசி கல்லூரியின் மூலிகை மருந்தியல் துறையும், டைபேக் துறையும் இணைந்து அகில இந்திய தொழில் நுட்ப கழகத்தின் உதவியோடு ‘மூலி கை மருந்துகள் ஆராய்ச்சியின் தற்போதைய நிலை மற்றும் எதிர்கால வாய்ப்புக்கள்’ என்ற தலைப்பில் இன்றும், நாளையும் சர்வதேச கருத்தரங்கு நடக்கிறது.இதுகுறித்து ஜெ.எஸ்.எஸ். பல்கலைக்கழக துணைவேந்தர் சுரேஷ் கூறியதாவது:
தமிழக அரசின் சுகாதார மற்றும் குடும்ப நலத்துறை செயலாளர் சுப்புராஜ் கருத்தரங்கை துவக்கி வைக்கிறார். ஜெர்மன் முனை பல்கலைக்கழகத்தை சேர்ந்த டாக்டர் வாக்னர் ‘புதிய தலைமுறை மூலிகை மருந்துகள்’ குறித்து பேசுகிறார்.

இந்திய அரசின் அறிவியல் மற்றும் தொழில் நுட்பத்துறையினால் நியமிக்கப்பட்ட உயர்நிலைக்குழு மூலிகை மருந்துகள் சார்ந்த ஆராய்ச்சிக்கான சிறந்த மையமாக இக்கல்லூரியை தேர்வு செய்துள்ளது. கடந்த ஜனவரி 2001ம் ஆண்டு முதல் இம்மையம் செயல்பட்டு வருகிறது.
நாட்டிலேயே முதன் முறையாக மூலிகை மருந்து தயாரிப்பு நிறுவனங்களுக்கு உதவிடும் வகையில் மூலிகை மருந்தியலில் முதுகலைப்பட்டம் இத்துறையின் மூலம் வழங்கப்படுகிறது. பல்வேறு தயாரிப்பு நிறுவனங்களுடன் இணைந்து மூலிகை மருந்துகள் குறித்த ஆராய்ச்சிகள் நடைபெற்று வருகின்றன. பல அரசு நிறுவனங்களின் நிதியும் இத்தகைய ஆராய்ச்சியாளர்களுக்கு பெறப்படுகின்றது.தற்போது நடைபெறவுள்ள சர்வதேச கருத்தரங்கு உலக முழுவதிலுள் உள்ள மாணவர்கள், ஆசிரியர்கள், ஆராய்ச்சியாளர்கள், மூலிகை மருத்துவர்கள், மருந்து தயாரிப்பாளர்கள், மூலிகை மருந்து ஏற்றுமதியாளர்கள் மற்றும் விவசாயிகள் கலந்து கொள்கின்றனர்.

கருத்தரங்கில் மூலிகை மருந்துகள் மற்றும் மருத்துவம் குறித்த கருத்துரைகள், பட்டிமன்றங்கள், ஆராய்ச்சி கட்டுரைகள் வெளியிடப்படவுள்ளன. மூலிகை மருந்து கண்டுபிடிப்பு, அவற்றின் தரம் மற்றும் பயன்கள் குறித்து விவாதிக்கப்படுகிறது.
அமெரிக்கா, கனடா, ஜெர்மனி, ஆஸ்திரேலியா, இங்கிலாந்து, சீனா உட்பட 15 நாடுகளை சேர்ந்த கல்வியாளர்கள், ஆராய்ச்சியாளர்கள் என 750 பேர் கலந்து கொள்கின்றனர். 325 ஆராய்ச்சி கட்டுரைகள் சமர்ப்பிக்கப்படவுள்ளது.

SOURCE : DINAKARAN

Veembur Mana

To return to our narrative.

Maternal grandmother (lady in white) had three brothers. Marriage of the eldest brother was fixed; he was to marry the sister of my maternal grandfather. Before marriage he died.

 Undeterred by this tragedy, the elders decided that the next in line marry her. God’s ways are strange. The would-be bridegroom too died. The elders were unmoved. The third son, Bhavadasan  married my mother’s aunt. VBS is her grandson, Bhavadasan (junior) being elder and Krishnan, only one year elder to me, being the third. Like the brothers Karamazovs, the threesome are dissimilar to each other. They had two living sisters, Sreedevi and Savitry (both no more).

Being closely related, they took care of our monetary needs like school fees; from a loan interest we got our monthly budget of Rs.10. The compound surrounding the mud hut was full of areca nut trees. The fallen leaves were collected by ma and used as fuel. She would carry water from the faraway well (normally the well is attached to the kitchen and we draw water from the well, standing inside the kitchen).I have nonchalantly watched it, but never offered help. Now I see my wife working in the kitchen and her daughter watching TV. Is this a rule of nature?

We got a meagre quantity of rice from tenants. I would go to the farmers, enjoying the scenery en route, collect rice and bring it home in a country canoe. My elder brother being unconcerned, I became the father figure at the age of thirteen.

One day uncle (VBS’s father) told me we were entitled for ration card being below poverty line;as instructed, I went to the Tehsildar office some ten miles way, handed over the application, waited patiently till 4.50 pm, when, pitying my innocence and helplessness, the peon told the clerk to do the needful and I returned with the ration card !

 Naraphan-short for Narayanaphan.

 I don’t remember him. He was VBS’s grandfathr’s son by his second wife who was half mad. The whole property of Veembur Kadalayil became a matter of litigation with a Tamil Brahmin from whom heavy sums were borrowed for construction of the tile factory, the first in our area,which still stands near level crossing at Ollur railway station, and, for maintaining luxurious living (every time maternal grand mother came home, she was given a gold sovereign-a coin prevalent then).  At one stage, the vakil of the opponent secretly visited our ancestor and advised him to deny in the court that he borrowed money; a Nambudiri’s word was taken as true even by a court in those days. A Nambudiri may never lie. True to tradition, the honest ancestor refused to lie and the whole property came into Tamil Brahmin’s hands.

Litigation continued. As he was educated, Naraphan shouldered the responsibility. By 6am train, he would leave for Ernakulam where the High Court is located. We can only guess the number of times the poor fellow travelled to Ernakulam, sometimes without pocket money, in the hope of ultimate success!

At long last, the gods smiled-he won the case but lost his life. To celebrate the victory, he ate sumptuously at a restaurant. It was cholera epidemic time. As soon as he returned home, he started vomiting. He died, his mad mother died and even VBS’s sister Gauri, still a girl, died……Triumph of Death over Life…

I have vague memories of attending pindam ceremony. (Why don’t we leave the dead alone?)

 VBS’s father worked hard to keep the family going. He even worked as poojari at Pisharikal temple where tradition forbade us Kadalayil family members to do pooja.

And yet he was always cheerful and full of humour and wit. VBS was studying in college. His elder brother was in army (he was discharged for being sympathetic to the left-Britain ruled by proxy) and Krishnettan was in Ooty (as cashier in some restaurant-he became fair as a white man when he returned) Uncle and I were together. One day he was so upset that he told me “your mother is mad”.

I had learned to stoically suffer almost anything in this life. I must have looked like an idiot which I actually am.

Ooty-Coonoor stretch may be opened for light vehicles soon

Hostile conditions: Bad weather affected restoration works at landslide-hit Manthada, near Udhagamandalam, on Wednesday.– Photo: M. Sathyamoorthy

Udhagamandalam: The landslide hit Ooty-Coonoor stretch of the national highway will be thrown open to light vehicles on Thursday provided the conditions were conducive, Nilgiris Collector Anandrao V. Patil told The Hindu here on Wednesday.

Initially only descending traffic would be allowed to use the road where temporary repairs had been carried out by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), he added.

The administration had accorded high priority to opening the stretch owing to the difficulties faced by the commuters, he said and added that the Katteri-Coonoor section of the national highway was thrown open to bus traffic on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, bad weather hampered restoration works in many parts of the district. Owing to thick mist, visibility was reduced to just a few metres. After a short respite, wet weather had again become a source of concern in this hill station.

From THE HINDU

Hostile conditions: Bad weather affected restoration works at landslide-hit Manthada, near Udhagamandalam, on Wednesday.

The landslide hit Ooty-Coonoor stretch of the national highway will be thrown open to light vehicles on Thursday provided the conditions were conducive, Nilgiris Collector Anandrao V. Patil told The Hindu here on Wednesday.

Initially only descending traffic would be allowed to use the road where temporary repairs had been carried out by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), he added.

The administration had accorded high priority to opening the stretch owing to the difficulties faced by the commuters, he said and added that the Katteri-Coonoor section of the national highway was thrown open to bus traffic on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, bad weather hampered restoration works in many parts of the district. Owing to thick mist, visibility was reduced to just a few metres. After a short respite, wet weather had again become a source of concern in this hill station.

SOURCE: THE HINDU

British Singer Mica Paris with schoolchildren at Chamraj Higher Secondary School, near Udhagamandalam, on Wednesday.

Like in many parts of the Nilgiris, the atmosphere in Chamraj and surroundings near here was also gloomy on Wednesday owing to the wet, misty and nippy conditions.

However, in sharp contrast the mood inside the Chamraj Higher Secondary School was warm and cheerful.

The reason: Mica Paris, United Kingdom’s striking musical personality and noted Soul Queen who released her latest popular album “Born Again” earlier this year dropped in at the school to spread some charm and joy and in the process take back some Indian values.

Her visit was facilitated by the United Kingdom-based Fairtrade Foundation, an independent charity that licenses use of the “Fairtrade” mark on products which meet internationally agreed Fairtrade standards. The Chamraj Estate, a member of the Amalgamations Group, has for the past several years been a licensee of the Foundation.

Being the product ambassador of the organisation, Ms. Paris sang a couple of songs for the students and made them sing along. Later she told The Hindu: “I am very impressed with the children and their work”.

Dedication

Opining that it reflected the dedication of their teachers, she said, “It is a joy to see teachers who love to teach”.

She expressed the hope that it should spread to the rest of the country.

Ms. Paris added that the values, the community life, the family structure etc that one comes across here are “refreshing” and lamented that they are vanishing in the West.

The Public Relations Manager, Fairtrade Foundation, Martine Julseth said that products bearing the Fairtrade mark should meet international standards.

Stating that high priority is accorded to tea, she said the organisation had set an ambitious target of raising the fair-trade endorsed brands of tea from the present 10 per cent to 50 per cent by 2012.

The Director, Chamraj Group, T.G.B. Pinto said the Fairtrade endorsement assures good quality.

The Manager, Chamraj Group, G.B.Henriksen said that many welfare schemes are being implemented with the premium earned through the sale of Fairtrade endorsed tea.

Among the beneficiaries are a large number of school students.

Highway Ready

நீலகிரி மாவட்டத்தில் கடந்த 8-ந் தேதி முதல் 12-ந் தேதி வரை கனமழை கொட்டி தீர்த்தது. அதன் காரணமாக மாவட்டம் முழுவதும் ஏராளமான இடங்களில் நிலச்சரிவு ஏற்பட்டது. மாவட்டமே வெள்ளக்காடாக மாறியது.

சாலைகள் அனைத்தும் துண்டிக்கப்பட்டு நீலகிரி மாவட்டம் சமவெளிபகுதியில் இருந்து துண்டிக்கப்பட்டது. ஊட்டி- கோத்தகிரி, ஊட்டி- மேட்டுப்பாளையம், குன்னூர்- கோத்தகிரி சாலைகளில் ஆங்காங்கே அரிப்பு ஏற்பட்டு சாலைகள் இருந்த இடமே தெரியாமல் போனது.

சாலைகளை சீரமைக்கும் பணி போர்க்கால அடிப்படையில் தொடங்கியது. பொக்லைன் எந்திரங்கள் மூலம் சீரமைப்பு பணி குழு வீச்சில் நடந்தது. நெடுஞ்சாலைத்துறை ஊழியர்கள் மற்றும் பேரிடம் மேலாண்மை தடுப்பு ஊழியர்கள் இந்த பணியில் ஈடுபட்டனர்.

அரிப்பு ஏற்பட்ட பகுதிகளில் மண் மூட்டைகள் அடுக்கி சீர் செய்யப்பட்டது. இதைத் தொடர்ந்து கடந்த வாரம் ஊட்டி- கோத்தகிரி சாலையில் இலகு ரக வாகன போக்குவரத்து தொடங்கியது.

மடித்தொரை என்ற இடத்தில் ஏற்பட்ட பெரும் பள்ளம் 40 ஆயிரம் மண் மூடை அடுக்கி சரி செய்யப்பட்டது. இதனால் ஊட்டி- கோத்தகிரி சாலையில் இன்று காலை அரசு பஸ் போக்குவரத்து தொடங்கியது.

தமிழக கதர்வாரியத்துறை அமைச்சர் ராமச்சந்திரன் போக்குவரத்தை தொடங்கி வைத்தார். நீலகிரி மாவட்ட கலெக்டர் ஆனந்த் பாட்டீல், நெடுஞ்சாலைத்துறை தலைமை என்ஜினீயர் கந்தசாமி, உதவி பொறியாளர்கள் குழந்தைராஜ், ராஜா மற்றும் அதிகாரிகள் கலந்து கொண்டனர்.

Source: Maalaimalar

D.Radhakrishnan

Udhagamandalam: Life in this flood- and landslide-hit hill station will become near normal when the Ooty-Coonoor ghat road is thrown open to traffic.

With this view being shared by all in the district, all eyes are on the officials and workers of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) who are engaged in restoration works along the Ooty-Coonoor-Mettupalayam National Highway.

Having put up with considerable hardship and inconvenience over the last three weeks, the travelling public are looking for relief and hoping that the NHAI will rise to the occasion. Commuters told The Hindu here on Tuesday that though they were sensitive to the enormity of the task confronting the NHAI, “we are finding it increasingly difficult to go about our day to day work.”

Pointing out that normal timings had been restored in the schools, they said that owing to transport difficulties the students especially those residing in places like Manthada were facing problems.

They expressed the hope that the NHAI will take up temporary restoration works on Ooty-Coonoor-Mettupalayam road on a war-footing and throw open at least the Ooty-Coonoor stretch without delay. If not buses at least light vehicles should be allowed during the day to help the students and office goers.

Udhagamandalam: When problems and challenges confront the district the planting community will not be found wanting, observed the Chairman, Nilgiri Planters Association (NPA), Jiten Pareek, while extending a helping hand to about 200 flood- and landslide-affected persons housed in a relief camp at Yellanhalli near Coonoor on Monday.

He expressed concern over the enormous damage caused by the natural calamity. The managements and workers of the member estates of the NPA expressed their sympathies to the affected families, he said. By way of saying, “we are with you,” relief materials in the form of weather protectives had been given to some of the affected persons, Mr. Pareek added.

From THE HINDU

Udhagamandalam: Life in this flood- and landslide-hit hill station will become near normal when the Ooty-Coonoor ghat road is thrown open to traffic.

With this view being shared by all in the district, all eyes are on the officials and workers of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) who are engaged in restoration works along the Ooty-Coonoor-Mettupalayam National Highway.

Having put up with considerable hardship and inconvenience over the last three weeks, the travelling public are looking for relief and hoping that the NHAI will rise to the occasion. Commuters told The Hindu here on Tuesday that though they were sensitive to the enormity of the task confronting the NHAI, “we are finding it increasingly difficult to go about our day to day work.”

Pointing out that normal timings had been restored in the schools, they said that owing to transport difficulties the students especially those residing in places like Manthada were facing problems.

They expressed the hope that the NHAI will take up temporary restoration works on Ooty-Coonoor-Mettupalayam road on a war-footing and throw open at least the Ooty-Coonoor stretch without delay. If not buses at least light vehicles should be allowed during the day to help the students and office goers.

D.Radhakrishnan – From THE HINDU

Every 15 years they are subjected to harrowing experience

Udhagamandalam: Residents of Burliar on the Mettupalayam-Ooty national highway once again found themselves in an unenviable position which has been created by the recent natural calamity.

Huge landslips triggered by heavy rain have rendered the road useless.

Consequently the residents, most of whom are small traders dependent on motorists and bus passengers for a livelihood have been forced to down shutters.

Though the Nilgiris is accessible by road from a few directions and rail from Mettupalayam, the Mettupalayam-Coonoor ghat road via Kallar and Burliar has for long been considered the main approach to the hills and it is used to a considerable extent.

Burliar has in the last fortnight been languishing on account of the road being closed.

It has been the main place for re-filling radiators before continuing the upward journey towards Udhagamandalam, for quenching a parched throat and for purchasing fruits, spices and snacks.

Drivers of many vehicles going towards Mettupalayam also stop at Burliar. A puja performed for both ascending and descending vehicles in front of a local temple is a long standing practice.

Speaking to The Hindu some of the traders said that ever since a similar natural calamity occurred a few decades ago, they have learnt to live with the apprehension that heavy rain can affect their livelihood at any time.

Pointing out that every 10 or 15 years they are subjected to a harrowing experience by landslips, they lamented that for long an alternative has eluded them.

Roadside petty vendors said that they are the worst affected.

From THE HINDU

Inflow of tourists expected to pick up

Udhagamandalam: With the natural calamity which occurred here a fortnight ago hitting badly the tourism dependent economy of this holiday destination, people belonging to the tourism industry are keeping their fingers crossed hoping that restoration works would be completed soon.

On Monday, they got something to cheer about thanks to the efforts of the Nilgiris Collector Anandrao V.Patil. The Ooty-Kotagiri Road was thrown open to light vehicle traffic in the presence of District Revenue Officer S.Kuppusamy.

Pointing out that temporary repairs had been carried out at Madithorai where a breach extending over 40 metres had occurred, the Divisional Engineer, Highways, T.S.Kandhasamy told The Hindu that 40,000 gunny bags filled with quarry dust and sand had been stacked with the help of casuarina poles to strengthen the road.

After carefully monitoring the situation for a few days and strengthening the road further, buses would be permitted.

However, heavy vehicles like lorries would continue to be diverted via Iduhatty till permanent restoration works were completed on Ooty-Kotagiri Main Road.

Owing to the catastrophe which caused extensive damage to the Mettupalayam-Coonoor-Ooty national highway and Mettupalayam-Kotagiri-Ooty Road, the inflow of tourists has been reduced to a trickle.

Consequently, the number of tourists visiting popular spots like the Government Botanical Garden, the Ooty lake, the Pykara lake and Dodabetta peak has been low for the last few days.

hough usually there is a spurt in the inflow during the weekends, the weekenders have been conspicuous by their absence over the last two weekends.

This is despite the fact that there is absolutely no difficulty in reaching this hill station from the Karnataka side.

Assistant Director of Horticulture M.Prakasam said that the flow was expected to pick up from the coming weekend.

Secretary of Nilgiri Hotels and Restaurants Association N.Chandrashekar said that all the hotels had been reporting very low occupancy for the last two weeks.

Since the conditions were now conducive for the flow of tourists to resume, he expressed the confidence that normalcy on the tourism front would be restored within a few days.

NMR restoration works

Setbacks in the form of fresh landslips notwithstanding the restoration works along the 38-km Kallar-Ooty stretch of the Nilgiri Mountain Railway (NMR) is progressing as scheduled.

In a press note issued here on Monday, the Public Relations Officer, Salem Division, Om Prakash Narayan said that the track had been cleared for movement of the Ballast train up to 14 km from Mettupalayam. So far, over 9,000 cubic metres of mud and rock brought down by landslips had been removed from the track.

Out of the 111 places affected by landslides, 48 had been cleared. The Coonoor-Wellington section was now totally free of debris.

From THE HINDU

Our life on this here earth is ever so brief and transient, but once in a while mankind  succeeds in creating something that stands the test of time, that is made for all eternity so to speak. To some these works – the Gizeh pyramids, the Great Wall, Domino D-Day -  are testament to the greatness of man, to others they bear witness to his follies. The final judgment is often in the eye of the beholder.

Once in a while, though, we can all agree on something. Take the Ooty Thread Garden for instance. A certain Anthony Joseph, playing around with some ideas in his workshop, came up with a novel way of creating fake flowers by winding coloured threads around pieces of canvas. A nice hobby, one might say, quite artistic in its own right even and something that could be a nice addition to any country fair. If only he would have left it at the workshop.

But no. Anthony had bigger plans. He dreamt of greatness, threaded greatness that is.

12 years, 50 female volunteers and 60 million meters of thread later the garden was a fact. It is housed next to the Ooty lake and boat house in a ramshackle structure with disused advertising signs for a roof. Entry is gained through a small corridor, after which the threaded spectacle unfolds in all its splendor.

It’s quite the feat. Honestly, very beautifully done. But it’s hard to get over the astounding pointlessness of it all. Such an incredible amount of work to create fake flowers. The question begs. Why?

It’s obvious that I’m hopelessly opinionated about this, so to make sure that doubters such as myself are put on the correct appreciative path, they’ve installed a series of explanatory signs:

“Once seen memory will not willingly let it pale”

I’m still writing about this, so fair point.

“As an artistic creation par excellence challenging the human imagination it occupies the position of unique and innovative miracle in this era”

Alright. We’re getting somewhere. But there’s more, no?

“In all respects thread garden can be rated as highest art creation of manual effort that brought about successfully in the world”

Now we’re talking. But still, some ultimate doubters may not be convinced. Fear not, the final sign puts all to rest:

“Really. Tourists adore this millenium miracle”

And there you go. The Hindu Business Line reports that Anthony Jacobs is planning similar labours of love overseas, so soon you too may bear witness to the greatness of man.

Look on my works ye mighty and despair!

‘Take steps to adopt low carbon emission technologies’

Udhagamandalam: Lifestyle changes can combat global warming to a significant extent. This was underscored at a seminar on global warming – “Agni” organised by the Rotary District-3202 in association with various Rotary clubs in the Nilgiris here on Sunday.

Introducing the theme and giving an overview of the scenario vis-a-vis global warming, the former Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission M.R. Srinivasan said that steps should be taken to adopt low carbon emission technologies.

Save earth: Former Chairman of Atomic Energy Commission M.R. Srinivasan addressing a seminar on Global Warming in Udhagamandalam on Sunday. — Photo:M. Sathyamoorthy

Stating that efforts should be made to conserve energy at all levels, he said that the motto should be “ reuse, reduce and refuse”.

Lifestyle changes should be made.

While use of solar, wind, nuclear and hydroelectric energy should be promoted the people should switch from individual transport to mass transport. Use of bicycles should be encouraged, he said.

Advocating a growth path that is less carbon intensive, he said that the consequences of meddling with nature would be drastic.

He expressed the view that energy is embedded in everything conserved.

Adverting to the recent natural calamity in the Nilgiris, he said that the type of damage caused has revealed that, “we have not learnt from past experiences”.

Trees should be planted on a massive scale.

The Governor, Rotary District 3202 E.K. Sagadhevan who inaugurated the seminar said that all must join hands to fight global warming. “When our grandfathers have given us a healthy earth we should ensure that we do the same to posterity,” he said.

The Secretary General, World Wide Fund for Nature, Ravi Singh said that if appropriate lifestyle changes are made now, the benefits will become visible 20 or 30 years later.

He stressed the role of the media and the younger generation in tackling the problem. He also referred to the consequences of global warming on forests, species, people and economy.

The Field Director, Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, Rajiv K. Srivastava cautioned that if bush fires are not prevented the problems relating to global warming will multiply.

Emphasising the need for self-discipline, he said that wetlands, marshes etc should be protected.

Each village should have an eco-sensitive plan.

The entire district should be declared as an eco-sensitive zone.

The Principal, Good Shepherd International School, P.C. Thomas said that utmost caution should be exercised while laying roads in hill areas like the Nilgiris.

The Director, ECOS Jean-Philippe Puyravaud, the Assistant Rotary Governor N. Chandrashekar and the Secretary, Rotary Club of Nilgiris West Geetha Srinivasan also spoke.

The President, Rotary Club of Nilgiris West Geegee George welcomed the gathering.

From THE HINDU

Udhagamandalam: All educational institutions in the Nilgiris would remain closed for two more days, said the Nilgiris Collector Anandrao V. Patil.

Addressing a press conference here on Sunday, Mr. Patil said over 1000 landslides had occurred in various parts of the Nilgiris during the recent rains. Between Burliar and Ooty alone, there had been about 150 landslides. Special teams had been formed to expedite restoration works, he said.

Mr. Patil said 43 persons had died. The relief amount had been distributed to the families of the victims. About 2,548 flood affected persons were being taken care of in 25 relief camps. Stating that about 106 km of State highways had been damaged, Mr. Patil said that standing potato crop on 221 hectares worth Rs. 5.35 crore had been lost.

From THE HINDU

Temporary office set up at Coonoor to oversee repair works

Udhagamandalam: The loss on the Nilgiri Mountain Railway (NMR) line caused by the recent heavy rain and landslips is estimated to be Rs. 12 crore, according to M.S. Jayanth, General Manager, Southern Railway.

Stating this to journalists at Coonoor on Sunday, Mr. Jayanth said that the figure might have to be revised upwards.

The track and other railway property, including buildings and quarters, and about 66 bridges had suffered damage, he said. Landslips occurred at 170 places and trees fell across the track at over 20 places. About 30,000 cubic metres of mud had fallen on the track.

Referring to the suspension of services over the years due to heavy rain, he said that the recent rain was the heaviest and the damage caused was very heavy. A temporary office of the Salem Railway Division had been opened at Coonoor to oversee repair and restoration works.

While the Ooty-Coonoor section was likely to be thrown open for traffic within about two months, the Coonoor-Mettupalayam section would take several months.

Efforts would be made to get it ready by 2010 summer tourist season.

Mr. Jayanth said that in view of the tourist importance of this hill station, automatic vending machines would be set up in Ooty and Coonoor by next year.

Experiments with two engines would continue after the rack and pinion system was repaired.

The possibility of extending the Cheran Express to Mettupalayam would be explored.

Earlier, Mr. Jayanth, accompanied by senior officials including the Divisional Railway Manager, Salem. P.N. Ram, inspected some of the affected areas.

From THE HINDU

The Nilgiris also known as Blue Mountain has been spotted by the heavy rain during 7 – 11th November. Usually during heavy rain there will be landslide, road blocks, and trees on the road and electricity problem for more than 48 hours in most of the places in nilgiri district. But 7th November to 11th are terrible days for nilgiri district after 1978, around 40 people were killed for the landslide triggered by the heavy rain in many places and relief workers are reportedly searching for more missing persons as per the Hindu magazine. Seven members in a family killed in Acchanakal for the landslide.

Landslides happened in many places and destroyed houses and roads, on which the huge landslide more than 1000 ft near Madithorai on the way to kotagiri from ooty. This landslide blocked and separated the ooty – kotagiri roads. And the landslide near Lovedale junction and near Valleyview blocked the ooty – coonoor and ooty – lovedale roads.

malampuzha dam

the rains which have been continuing for the past few days have intensified.the situation is related to the depression that developed in the Arabian sea and which is heading north towards Gujarat as a cyclone.at the mean time north east monsoon is wrecking havoc in tamilnadu killing at least 50 people.all this h

ave contributed to a rise in water levels in the malampuzha and the kanjirapuzha dams,forcing the authorities to open the dams.the alert issued yesterday still remains valid to the areas adjoining bharatapuzha and thoothapuzha.

met department predicts heavy rains in the coming 24hrs .